Indonesia's PLN Restores Power Plant After Java Blackouts, Minister Demands Swift Mitigation
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - PT PLN (Persero) has successfully restored one of its partner power plants that had previously experienced technical issues, impacting the electricity system on Java Island. The recovery is expected to minimise the rolling blackouts that affected the public over the past week.
PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo explained that the company continues to conduct strict monitoring through its load control centre and ensure repairs proceed smoothly. He noted that PLN has been working with developer partners to gradually restore the reliability of the electricity system.
“Tonight we have good news, one of the power plants has been restored and as of 6pm was synchronised with the Java electricity system and has begun supplying power to increase the reliability of the Java electricity system. Therefore, the rolling blackouts that occurred last week have been successfully minimised today,” he said in an Instagram post by @pln_id, quoted Monday.
The restoration included strengthening the generating units and ensuring the primary energy supply chain runs according to required specifications. Previously, two power plant units belonging to PLN’s partners had gone offline, triggering a load imbalance in the Java region.
“We express our utmost appreciation for the government’s support, in this case the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, especially to Minister Bahlil Lahadalia for his support and coordination, so that the entire electricity ecosystem is united in working together to strengthen and make the Java electricity system more reliable,” he added.
PLN is committed to continuously monitoring the stability of the national electricity system 24 hours a day to anticipate similar technical constraints. Improvements to primary energy governance are also being pursued to ensure all generating facilities can operate optimally for the benefit of customers.
“We also want to offer our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused to the public due to the rolling blackouts last week. We also ask for the public’s prayers and support so that the efforts to repair and strengthen the Java electricity system can proceed smoothly,” he concluded.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia had previously urged PLN to immediately resolve the technical issues that triggered the rolling blackouts in several areas. The blackouts were deemed to have caused significant public inconvenience.
Bahlil stressed that operational control and resolution of system disruptions are entirely under PLN’s authority. He has also communicated directly with PLN’s President Director to accelerate mitigation efforts to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
“I heard information that there were rolling blackouts in several areas. I ask PLN to immediately take measured, comprehensive steps to provide comfort to customers with no more blackouts,” he said in an official statement in Purworejo, Central Java.
The government has requested that PLN management conduct a thorough evaluation of the operational system and ensure all processes run optimally. Bahlil emphasised that the ministry only acts on the regulatory side, while the smooth operation of electricity activities is the full responsibility of the company.
“Resolve this technical issue immediately, because all technical matters are under PLN’s authority and control. It is not the Directorate General of Electricity that operates the electricity. We handle regulation, while PLN carries out the operations,” he asserted.