PLN Chief Reports Improvement in Java's Power Grid After Rotating Blackouts

Jakarta - The President Director of PT PLN (Persero), Darmawan Prasodjo, has stated that the electricity system, particularly on Java Island, is showing signs of improvement after rotating blackouts occurred in several areas last week. Darmawan made the remarks before meeting President Prabowo at the Palace on Monday (22/6/2026). He noted that the condition of the Java power system began to improve on Sunday. “The rotating blackouts that occurred last week in Java, starting yesterday Sunday, the condition of the electricity system in Java began to improve, and the rotating blackouts were successfully minimised. We would like to apologise to the public for the inconvenience caused by these rotating blackouts,” Darmawan said at the Palace. He explained that the supply of primary energy meeting the specifications required by power plants, both those owned by PLN and private Independent Power Producers (IPPs), has started flowing again, thereby strengthening the resilience of the Java electricity system. Additionally, two large power plants owned by PLN’s partners, which had previously experienced technical disruptions and were disconnected from the system, are now in the process of being restored. One of the plants was successfully repaired and re-synchronised with the Java electricity system on Sunday night. “And there is good news from last night, one large power plant was successfully restored and synchronised with the electricity system in Java and has begun supplying power to the Java system,” he said. He also expressed appreciation to the government, particularly the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, for the support, direction, and coordination provided during the recovery process. “We are also improving the governance of the primary energy supply chain and strengthening power plants, both those owned by PLN and our partners, the Independent Power Producers. We are making an all-out effort, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in monitoring and mapping all our efforts so that the improvement in the reliability of the Java power system can be maintained and even enhanced,” he stated. Previously, Minister Bahlil had expressed deep concern over the rotating blackouts implemented by PLN in several areas. He urged PLN to immediately take measured and comprehensive mitigation steps to prevent the incident from recurring. “I heard information that rotating blackouts occurred in several areas. I ask PLN to immediately take measured, comprehensive steps to provide comfort to customers by ensuring there are no more blackouts. In other words, immediately resolve this technical issue, because all technical matters are under PLN’s authority and control,” Bahlil said in a press statement. Bahlil stressed that PLN needs to conduct a thorough evaluation of its operational systems and ensure all processes run optimally. He stated that appropriate mitigation measures are key to ensuring similar disruptions are not felt by the public again. Bahlil also confirmed he had spoken directly with the President Director of PLN to push for faster and more measured actions to ensure the electricity system returns to normal. On the other hand, Bahlil dismissed claims that the blackouts occurred due to a lack of fuel supply at several power plants. He asserted that, in general, PLN’s coal requirements have been anticipated through assignments to national coal companies. “PLN’s total coal requirement is 154 million tonnes. For that 154 million, the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal has assigned national coal companies a total of 180 to 190 million tonnes, of which 134 million tonnes have been contracted, meaning there are only about 18 million tonnes left. Where is the shortage? The technical aspect of getting it to the power plant is not the task of the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal. That is a technical matter of PLN’s logistics management,” Bahlil clarified.