ESDM Responds to Coal Supply Crisis at Coal Power Plants, Claims Supply is Sufficient

Jakarta – The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has responded to reports that several coal-fired power plants are facing coal supply shortages, a situation described as threatening national electricity security.

Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung stated that the ministry has coordinated with PT PLN (Persero) regarding the availability of primary energy, particularly coal.

“We are already connected with PLN. We need to know the primary energy requirements from coal and which power plants are most urgent so PLN can inform us,” he said at the ESDM Ministry in Jakarta on Friday 26 February 2026.

“Overall, the supply should be sufficient,” he added.

He assessed that the issue is more related to distribution from mines to power plants. The ordering and procurement system must operate on schedule to prevent stock depletion.

“For example, a power plant should maintain a minimum reserve of primary energy for 20 days. When it falls below 20 days, the ordering system needs to be communicated properly and based on the existing work plans to ensure no delays occur in the procurement process,” he explained.

Yuliot added that Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia is paying close attention to primary energy supply. The government does not want electricity system disruptions due to supply shortages.

“We must not allow domestic power plants to suffer from primary energy shortages. Primary energy is not only coal, but also LNG availability for power plants and gas supplied through pipelines, which are also our priorities,” said Yuliot.

APLSI Board Chairman Joseph Pangalila stated that the supply decline has occurred since last year. Most coal power plants have reserves for only a dozen or so days of operation, with some holding less than 10 days.

Ideal supply levels for maintaining operational reliability stand at a minimum of 25 days of operation.

“Currently, some power plants have reserves of less than 10 days, whilst others have only a dozen days. Only a few power plants have reached the 25-day level,” he told Kompas.com on Thursday 26 February 2026.