Bahlil Reports to President Prabowo on Ensuring PLN Electricity Stability
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia reported on the national energy supply condition and strategic steps to maintain the service stability of state electricity company PT PLN (Persero) to President Prabowo Subianto. The report was delivered following electricity disruptions that had occurred in several regions of Indonesia.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Monday (22/6), focused on identifying the main issues affecting power plant operations. Bahlil emphasised that the government is committed to providing certainty of electricity services to the public.
“We discussed the sustainability of government service stability, PLN’s service to the community, particularly regarding electricity,” Bahlil said after the meeting.
Bahlil revealed two main issues of serious concern. First, constraints in the operation of Gas-Fired Power Plants (PLTG). Second, challenges in meeting the need for medium-calorie coal, which is crucial for the fuel blending process at power plants.
Regarding coal supply, Bahlil explained that PLN’s annual requirement reaches 154 million tonnes. The ESDM Ministry has assigned mining companies a supply quota of 180 million to 190 million tonnes per year to guarantee stock security.
“The amount already contracted by PLN is 134 million tonnes. Actually, with a contract with business owners of 134 million tonnes for one year, and it is only June now, there should be no issue,” he clarified.
However, he underscored that the current problem is not the total volume, but the availability of the specific calorie specification. The government has taken intervention steps to help PLN obtain medium-calorie coal so that plant operations remain optimally maintained.
In addition to fuel matters, the Energy Minister also instructed PLN to accelerate maintenance schedules for electricity facilities across all regions. This preventive measure is deemed urgent to enhance system reliability and prevent similar service disruptions in the future.
“We are asking PLN to immediately carry out maintenance to truly provide service certainty to the public,” Bahlil concluded.