Bahlil Ensures Coal RKAB Prioritises Domestic Supply

Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has confirmed that the relaxation of the Coal Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) will continue to prioritise the fulfilment of domestic needs. He stated that the government is maintaining a balance between supply and demand by making the electricity sector and domestic industry the priority. “I have said that we will implement a measured relaxation. We prioritise domestic needs,” Bahlil said in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/7/2026). He has not yet disclosed the amount of the additional coal RKAB quota for this year, indicating that the government will announce the decision at the end of the year after considering national supply and demand conditions.

PT PLN (Persero) President Director Darmawan Prasodjo confirmed that the company’s coal needs for power generation have almost been entirely met. Of the total annual requirement of 152 million tonnes, contracts with suppliers are currently in the final stages of completion. “So, PT PLN’s coal requirement per year is 152 million tonnes. Currently, there is an assignment of more than 200 million tonnes. Almost all of the 152 million tonnes has been fulfilled. It is currently in process,” said Darmawan.

This move follows the government’s acceleration of coal supplier assignments after previous disruptions to medium-calorie coal supply affected the electricity system in Java. With the accelerated assignment, medium-calorie coal supply has begun flowing to several steam power plants (PLTU) in Java, including Lontar, Labuan, Suralaya, Indramayu, Paiton, Rembang, Pacitan, and Tanjung Awar-Awar. The government hopes that strengthening this supply will maintain the reliability of the national electricity system while ensuring that domestic coal needs remain the top priority.