PLN Reimposes Rolling Blackouts in South and Central Kalimantan Amid System Disruption

PLN’s Distribution Main Unit (UID) for South and Central Kalimantan has reimposed rolling blackouts following a disruption to the electricity interconnection system in the region. The power cuts have once again drawn public protest. The rolling blackouts have been ongoing since Thursday (23/7) across various areas, with outages lasting between five and six hours. The blackouts are scheduled between 07:00 and 23:00 WITA. In its public notice, PLN stated that an electrical disruption had occurred, impacting the power supply to consumers. This is the second power crisis to hit the South and Central Kalimantan region. In early July 2026, PLN attributed a crisis to damage at the Bangkanai gas engine power plant in North Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan. No official statement has yet been released regarding the cause of the current crisis. The power cuts have also drawn complaints from business operators and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Kalimantan. Dwi Putera Kurniawan, owner of Kedai Biji Kopi in Banjarbaru, complained that the blackouts have disrupted his business activities. “When the power goes out, the coffee roasting machines automatically have to stop,” he said. Bambang Dedi Mulyadi, Head of Institutional Affairs at the South Kalimantan Cooperatives and SMEs Office, echoed this sentiment, stating that his office had received numerous reports from SME operators regarding the power crisis. “We hope PLN will pay attention to this, because the blackouts significantly affect SME business activities,” he said. South Kalimantan Governor Muhidin has summoned and met with the management of PLN for the South and Central Kalimantan region to seek clarification on the rolling blackouts.