ESDM Denies Coal Stock Caused Rolling Blackouts
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has denied that depleting coal stocks for power plants caused the rolling blackouts that occurred in several regions in recent days. Secretary General of the Ministry of ESDM, Ahmad Erani Yustika, stated that coal supply for power plants is generally in a safe condition. “Overall, there is no (coal shortage). There shouldn’t be,” he told reporters at the Ministry of ESDM in Jakarta on Friday, 12 June 2026.
According to Erani, the Directorate General of Electricity at the Ministry of ESDM is coordinating with the Board of Directors of PT PLN (Persero) to discuss the rolling blackout issue. The government will soon provide more complete information regarding the state of the national electricity system after the meeting concludes. “Continuous coordination with the Director General as well. I believe they have more complete information,” he said.
Previously, Minister of ESDM Bahlil Lahadalia also denied that limited coal stocks at several power plants triggered the rolling blackouts. Bahlil stated that the obligation to fulfil coal supply for domestic needs, or the domestic market obligation (DMO), is still running according to regulations and its volume has reached a significant figure. “If it is said that coal is scarce, that is not true. Because our assignment has already reached 170 million tonnes,” Bahlil said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, 11 June 2026.
According to Bahlil, the electricity disruptions were caused by technical problems at several generating units. Currently, the Ministry of ESDM and PLN are conducting an evaluation and accelerating handling to restore the reliability of the electricity system. “Indeed, there are some troubles in several engines that PLN will resolve and we will resolve as soon as possible,” said Bahlil.
During the period of 9-11 June 2026, rolling blackouts occurred in several areas on Java Island. In East Java, parts of Gresik experienced blackouts on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. The following day, blackouts also occurred in several areas of Malang Regency. More widespread blackouts occurred in West Java. On Wednesday, 10 June 2026, power went out in 14 customer service implementation unit areas. Affected areas included Bogor, including the Bukit Cimanggu area, as well as Bekasi covering Mutiara Gading Housing, parts of Dukuh Bima Housing, Kampung Ciketing Rawamulya, and parts of Tambun and its surroundings.
The blackouts triggered public complaints on social media. The comment section of PT PLN (Persero)’s official Instagram account was filled with netizen complaints over the past three days. Most complaints highlighted the lack of prior notice regarding the blackouts and the minimal information about estimated power restoration times.
In its official statement, PLN stated that the rolling blackouts occurred due to maintenance of the electricity network in various regions. However, energy research and advocacy institute, the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), considers PLN’s explanation insufficient. IESR Chief Executive Officer Fabby Tumiwa said network maintenance should not cause widespread blackouts, unless PLN is implementing load curtailment.
According to Fabby, a disruption at one power plant or network should not escalate into widespread blackouts because the electricity system is equipped with reserve power, protection systems, and network redundancy. Fabby suspects the recent rolling blackouts were triggered by low fuel reserves at several coal-fired power plants (PLTU) in the Java-Bali system, causing the plants to operate below optimal capacity. This condition, he said, caused the plants’ days of operation (HOP) to fall below safe limits. He assessed that delays in coal deliveries to the PLTUs were one factor making HOP critical. One cause of these delays is suspected to be related to the postponement of the approval of work plans and budgets (RKAB) by the Ministry of ESDM.
“There are several factors causing the power outages, including minimal power reserves, fuel supply disruptions, unsynchronised plant maintenance schedules, and transmission disturbances,” Fabby said in a written statement on Thursday, 11 June 2026.