Bahlil Confirms No Further Coal Supply Issues for PLN Power Plants

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has confirmed that the coal supply for coal-fired power plants owned by PT PLN (Persero) is in a secure condition. According to Bahlil, the government has stepped in to resolve the medium-calorie coal supply constraints previously complained about by PLN. He detailed that PLN’s coal requirement reaches approximately 154 million tonnes per year. Meanwhile, the domestic market obligation (DMO) assignment from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to mining companies reaches around 180 to 190 million tonnes per year. “What has been contracted by PLN is 134 million tonnes. Actually, the contract between PLN and business owners is 134 million for one year. Now it is only the 6th month. That should be no issue,” Bahlil said after a meeting at the Palace with President Prabowo Subianto. Bahlil revealed that the problem which had emerged was actually not related to supply volume, but the availability of medium-calorie coal needed by PLN for the fuel blending process at the power plants. “It turns out what PLN was complaining about or what PLN requested was medium calorie for blending. Now, we have ensured that there are no more problems and the government has helped PLN to operate,” Bahlil stated. In addition to ensuring coal supply availability, Bahlil requested PLN to accelerate the maintenance of power plants and electricity infrastructure to maintain the reliability of electricity supply to the public.