Bahlil Urges PLN to Immediately Resolve Rolling Blackouts and Strengthen Mitigation

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has requested that PT PLN (Persero) immediately resolve the rolling blackouts occurring in several regions and strengthen mitigation measures to prevent similar disruptions. The government has stressed that handling technical issues in the electricity system is the authority of PLN as the national electricity operator. “I have heard information that there are rolling blackouts in some areas. I ask PLN to immediately take measured and comprehensive steps to provide comfort to customers by ensuring there are no more blackouts,” Bahlil said in an official statement. He added that PLN needs to promptly resolve various technical issues causing the service disruptions. He emphasised that the operational management of the electricity system is entirely the responsibility of PLN, while the government acts as the regulator overseeing its implementation. Bahlil also revealed that he had communicated directly with PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo to request an acceleration of the handling measures. He stressed the importance of measured mitigation so that disruptions detrimental to the public do not recur. “Earlier I also spoke with the PLN President Director, I told him to immediately take measured steps so that undesirable things do not happen, including the blackouts complained about by the people,” he said. He reiterated that the government has given clear directions to PLN to immediately resolve the issue. “The government has been firm, it is now up to PLN to immediately realise it,” said the Golkar Party politician. On the other hand, Bahlil denied the perception that the blackouts were caused by a shortage of coal supply for power plants. According to him, the government, through the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal, has ensured that PLN’s coal needs are met through assignments to national mining companies. Bahlil explained that PLN’s total coal requirement reaches 154 million tonnes per year. Of that amount, the government has assigned a supply of 180 million to 190 million tonnes, with contracts already in progress reaching approximately 134 million tonnes. “That means only about 18 million tonnes remain. Where is the shortage? The technicality of getting it to the power plant is not the task of the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal. That is already a technical matter of PLN’s logistics management,” he clarified. Therefore, the government is asking PLN to immediately resolve various technical obstacles causing the blackouts while strengthening the operational supervision and mitigation system. This step is considered important so that the reliability of the electricity supply is maintained and the public can once again enjoy normal and comfortable electricity services.