Minister Maman says rolling blackouts impact MSMEs
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Maman Abdurrahman stated that the rolling blackouts occurring in Java since early June have had various impacts on business activities.
He said that the blackouts also affect the daily activities of the wider community, not just MSMEs. “For example, those selling ice, when the power goes out the ice melts and they cannot sell, then frozen food traders, and various others. So the social impact is actually widespread,” Maman Abdurrahman said.
He urged PT PLN (Persero) to immediately improve the management of the coal supply chain, considering that the main power plants in Java are still Steam Power Plants (PLTU). “The potential for a widespread blackout like the one that occurred three years ago could happen again if the supply chain management at PLN is not immediately improved and properly organised,” the Minister said.
On the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto also acknowledged that the rolling blackouts have significantly affected economic activity. His office has held a meeting with Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia and the board of directors of PLN to address the issue. “The hope is that this can be resolved by June,” Airlangga Hartarto said.
In a separate occasion while answering journalists’ questions at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the coal supply problem faced by PLN is not the first occurrence. According to him, a similar situation also occurred in 2022, so stricter supervision is needed to prevent it from happening again. He explained that PLN’s coal requirement reaches around 154 million tonnes per year, while the coal supply assignment given by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to mining companies to meet PLN’s needs reaches around 180 million to 190 million tonnes per year. “What has been contracted by PLN is 134 million tonnes. Actually, the contract between PLN and the entrepreneurs is for 134 million tonnes for one year, and now it is only the sixth month, so there should be no issue,” Bahlil Lahadalia said.
In addition to coal supply, PT PLN (Persero) President Director Darmawan Prasodjo revealed in an official statement that two Steam Power Plants in Java experienced technical disruptions that caused the rolling blackouts. He said the technical disruption experienced by the Independent Power Producer (IPP) plants caused both plants to be disconnected from the electricity system in Java. His team immediately deployed personnel to carry out repairs. “Once again, we sincerely apologise for the disruption that resulted in rolling blackouts in Java,” Darmawan Prasodjo said.