Industrial Estate Operators Demand Strengthening of Grid Reliability
Entrepreneurs are calling for the reliability of the national electricity system to be strengthened to maintain the continuity of industrial activities and the investment climate. The General Chairman of the Indonesian Industrial Estate Association (HKI), Akhmad Ma’ruf Maulana, stated that a reliable electricity supply is a fundamental requirement for industrial estates.
The association has received numerous complaints regarding power outages in several regions across Java. HKI is requesting the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and PT PLN (Persero) to conduct a thorough evaluation of this issue. Ma’ruf Maulana noted that disruptions lasting for certain durations can affect production processes, goods distribution, and delivery schedules to customers.
“We have received various reports regarding power outages in several areas of Java. We understand that in a very large electricity system, technical disruptions can occur. The most important thing is to ensure that the evaluation process is comprehensive, repair steps are taken as quickly as possible, and future mitigation is strengthened,” Ma’ruf Maulana said in a statement on Saturday (13/6/2026).
According to him, the national industry is currently moving to support the downstreaming agenda, export increases, the development of data centres, and the influx of new investments into various regions. All these agendas require stable and reliable energy infrastructure support.
“Electricity reliability is one of the main considerations for investors when determining investment locations. Certainty of energy supply provides a sense of security for the business world in planning expansions or long-term business development,” he said.
As a form of attention to this issue, HKI has submitted a letter to the Minister of ESDM, with copies sent to the President Director of PT PLN (Persero) and governors across Indonesia, proposing a thorough evaluation of the causes of electricity system disruptions, ranging from generation, transmission, and distribution to the adequacy of power reserves. HKI also encourages the strengthening of electricity infrastructure in strategic industrial estates to achieve a higher level of reliability.
Furthermore, HKI proposed that industrial estates receive priority handling when system disruptions occur. Industrial estates are hubs for production, export, investment, and labour absorption, contributing significantly to both national and regional economies.
“We hope there is a faster coordination mechanism between PLN and industrial estate managers when disruptions occur. Accurate information and certainty regarding recovery time are very helpful for business players in managing their operations,” said Ma’ruf Maulana.
HKI also encourages the accelerated development of backup systems, increased network capacity, the construction of substations in rapidly growing industrial estates, and the utilisation of increasingly modern system monitoring technology.
In the long term, HKI believes there needs to be more space for the development of captive power plants, renewable energy, and Electricity Business Areas (Wilus) in certain industrial estates as part of efforts to strengthen national energy security.
“The growth of Indonesian industry will continue to increase energy demand. Therefore, the national electricity system needs to be continuously strengthened to keep pace with the needs of the business world and maintain Indonesia’s competitiveness as an investment destination,” said Ma’ruf Maulana.
He expressed hope that the government, PLN, local governments, and all stakeholders can work together to accelerate steps to strengthen the national electricity system so that the activities of the community and the business world can proceed smoothly and support Indonesia’s economic growth targets.