Coal Supply Disruption Surfaces Amid Rolling Blackouts
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has revealed obstacles in the coal supply for PT PLN (Persero) power plants amid reports of rolling blackouts in several regions. The government is conducting an evaluation to ensure the availability of primary energy supplies so that public services can run optimally.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia explained that there is currently a shortage of approximately 18 to 20 million tonnes of coal from the total annual national requirement of 154 million tonnes. He stressed that energy authorities are seeking technical solutions regarding the availability of medium-calorie coal, which has been reported to be experiencing a natural decline in quality.
“What is clear is that up to June, after our meeting, there is indeed a slight issue with medium-calorie 5,200 coal. We know that the calorie content of our coal is decreasing day by day. We are currently looking for a solution to this. But overall, there is no problem,” he said when met at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office in Jakarta, quoted on Friday (19/6/2026).
Based on data from the Ministry of ESDM, PLN’s total coal requirement for 2026 reaches 154 million tonnes, but the volume that has been contracted so far has only reached 134 million tonnes. The government is accelerating data synchronisation so that the shortfall can be met immediately through intensive coordination with domestic mining producers.
“The coal, from the total 154 million needed by PLN in 2026, PLN has already contracted 134 million. So there is only about 18 to 20 million left. Overall, there is no problem,” Bahlil said.
Rolling blackouts were reported in several areas on Friday (19/6/2026), including South Tangerang, Depok, and the area around the University of Indonesia (UI). A number of netizens claimed that electricity only returned after being out for two to three hours, while others said the power had not been restored by the afternoon.
“Power has been out since 8 o’clock and still hasn’t come back on,” wrote user @hrsdty, quoted on Friday (19/6/2026). Meanwhile, another user claimed that the electricity in their area had been out for more than three hours, disrupting daily activities. “It’s been off for more than 3 hours, everything is a mess,” wrote user @melonpea01.
PLN Opens Up
Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications and TJSL at PLN, Gregorius Adi Trianto, explained that the measure was taken due to technical operational issues at the power plants. Additionally, two major generating units experienced disruptions, rendering them temporarily unable to operate and causing a decline in the Java system’s electricity supply capability.
“PLN continues to work together to accelerate recovery, optimise supply from other power plants, and manage system operations to maintain the balance between supply and demand for electricity and to minimise the impact on customers,” Gregorius said in a written statement on Friday (19/6/2026). He also apologised for the inconvenience experienced by customers due to the blackouts. This load management is temporary and will be gradually halted as the system supply condition improves.