PLN conducts comprehensive monitoring of Sumatra's power system

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) continues comprehensive monitoring of the transmission system connecting Sumatra’s electricity network, particularly following the widespread blackout that occurred at 6:44 PM WIB on Friday, May 22.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo stated, “We continue to monitor all operational parameters of the system. Real-time monitoring allows immediate response to developments on the ground, ensuring the system remains safe, stable, and optimal in meeting public electricity needs.”

Monitoring is being carried out intensively and coordinated directly by PLN’s President Director and the Board of Directors, who visited the Sumatra Power Transmission and Load Control Centre (UIP3BS) in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Sunday, May 24.

Mr Darmawan stated that 5,579 megawatts (MW) of power supply has now been restored to 1,770 affected customer distribution networks.

“We are directly overseeing the restoration process, and Sumatra’s power system has now returned to normal. PLN continues to restore power to all customers,” Darmawan said.

Additionally, PLN continues to monitor electricity supply at public facilities such as hospitals, airports, and community service centres. This is part of prioritising security of electricity services to ensure normal operations in key sectors during system recovery.

Darmawan added that all power parameters in Sumatra’s system are currently stable and operating optimally, ensuring continuous electricity supply for the public.

Mass power outages occurred in Sumatra on Friday, May 22, starting at 6:44 PM WIB.

According to PLN, the blackout was caused by severe weather affecting parts of Sumatra’s power system.

By 6:00 AM WIB on Sunday, May 24, PLN had restored 176 affected main substations. Power supply to customers was gradually restored as part of the normalisation process.