PLN Boss Says Coal Supply for Power Plants Is Now Secure

The President Director of PT PLN (Persero), Darmawan Prasodjo, has confirmed that the supply of coal for Steam-Powered Power Plants (PLTU) is now sufficient. The fulfilment of domestic coal needs is being carried out through the revision of mining companies’ Work Plans and Budgets (RKAB).

He stated that the contracting process is proceeding rapidly thanks to intensive coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM). According to his records, the 152 to 154 million tonnes of coal required for power generation this year have been met.

“PLN’s annual coal requirement is 152 million tonnes. Currently, assignments have been given for more than 200 million tonnes, and we are in the process of contracting. Almost all of the 152 million tonnes have been fulfilled, and the process is ongoing with the Director General of Minerals and Coal,” he said on the sidelines of the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit and Exhibition (GHES) 2026 in Jakarta, Tuesday (21/7/2026).

He emphasised that the fulfilment of the coal supply for PLN’s power plants has been adjusted based on the required calorific value. The government’s adjustment of the coal supply has resulted in more than 200 million tonnes being allocated for this year.

“We express our appreciation and thanks for the support from the Minister of ESDM and the Director General of Minerals and Coal, so that the contract to meet 152 million tonnes per year with specifications suitable for our power plants and those of our partners is being processed very quickly and, God willing, will be fulfilled,” he added.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stressed that the government maintains a balance between supply and demand. He urged the media not to build a perception that the RKAB process negatively impacts PLN, reiterating that the government prioritises domestic needs, including those of other industries.

The government plans to implement a measured relaxation of production to align with national requirements. The total additional coal production from the RKAB revision is scheduled to be announced comprehensively at the end of the year.

Previously, PLN had disclosed that it would receive an additional 16.8 million tonnes of coal supply by the end of 2026 to meet the needs of its PLTUs, which had faced constraints. Darmawan Prasodjo stated that from August to December 2026, PLN will receive an additional supply of 3 million tonnes of coal per month on top of existing contracts, with an extra 1.8 million tonnes already allocated for July 2026.

This additional supply is specifically for coal with a calorific value above 4,500 kcal/kg, which is required by PLN’s power plants. The extra supply is expected to enhance the reliability of the electricity system in Java by adding approximately 5 GigaWatts (GW) of supply capacity, increasing the total from a previous 35.9 GW. Darmawan noted that this step was taken after PLN and the Ministry of ESDM evaluated changes in national coal production composition, where low-calorie coal output has increased while medium to high-calorie production has declined in recent years.