PLN CEO Directly Inspects Electricity Reliability for 81st Indonesian Independence Day
PT PLN (Persero) is supporting the series of events marking the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo directly inspected the reliability of the electricity supply ahead of the independence ceremony at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, yesterday.
During the inspection, Darmawan assessed the preparation of the main systems and PLN’s multi-layered electricity security scenario at Merdeka Palace, including personnel readiness and backup supply sources.
“PLN is going all out to safeguard the entire series of independence commemorations. We want all systems supporting the activities to run reliably. Specifically for the state ceremony at Merdeka Palace, we have prepared layered security so that the electricity supply remains maintained throughout the event,” said Darmawan in his statement, Monday (17/8/2026).
For the ceremony at Merdeka Palace, PLN is implementing a five-layer electricity security system consisting of two subsystems from four main substations, reinforced by four feeders, generators and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units. PLN has also stationed 132 personnel at 26 standby points to support electricity reliability in the Palace area.
Meanwhile, to maintain supply continuity, PLN has prepared four generator units with a total capacity of 8,000 kilovolt amperes (kVA) and eight UPS units with a total capacity of 3,200 kVA. The security system is designed on a Zero Downtime principle during the ceremony.
General Manager of PLN’s Greater Jakarta Distribution Unit (UID Jaya), Moch. Andy Adchaminoerdin, said the main system at each location is reinforced with layered backups according to the characteristics and needs of each activity.
“For each activity location, we prepare a scenario according to need. We reinforce the main system with layered backup sources, both from different substations and subsystems, then supplement it with UPS and generators. We also place personnel at standby points to monitor and respond to conditions on the ground,” Andy explained.
Andy added that his team has carried out installation and simulation of electricity reinforcement at a number of activity locations, including the Monas area and Merdeka Palace. This step was taken to ensure the systems and supporting equipment are ready for use according to the established scenarios.
In the Monas area, PLN has stationed 86 personnel at seven standby points to support the Flag Parade on 17 August. Security is provided through a three-layer system supported by one subsystem, two main substations, two feeders, and supporting equipment in the form of UGB, generators and UPS units.
Meanwhile, for the People’s Party taking place in the Monas area, Bundaran HI and Sarinah, PLN has stationed 134 personnel at 12 standby points, with support from two main substations, two feeders, one generator and 12 UPS units.
This readiness complements PLN’s security measures for the various series of activities that have been taking place in Jakarta since early August, including the National Remembrance and Prayer, Scout Day, the MPR RI Annual Session and State Address, and the Sacred Reflection.
Andy explained that electricity readiness in Jakarta is part of PLN’s national preparedness. On 17 August 2026, the national peak electricity load is projected to reach 42.6 gigawatts (GW), while generating capacity stands at 51.6 GW. This leaves a power reserve of 9 GW, or approximately 21.1 percent of the projected peak load.
To safeguard the entire series of independence commemorations across various regions, PLN has also deployed more than 45,000 personnel at 2,275 points throughout Indonesia. This readiness is reinforced by thousands of pieces of supporting equipment, including 1,517 generator units, 559 UPS units, 1,286 mobile substations, 75 mobile cable units, 318 crane trucks, 3,424 operational vehicles and 3,583 operational motorcycles.
With the readiness of systems, personnel and equipment, PLN is supporting the smooth running of various state agendas and community activities during the independence celebrations in Jakarta and across Indonesia.