PLN Reveals Java Power Outages Caused by Coal Supply Issues

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo has revealed the cause of the recent frequent rolling blackouts on the island of Java. He stated the issue is related to the supply of medium-range coal. Darmawan said efforts are currently underway to accelerate the contract signing process with coal suppliers who have received assignments from the government. “Currently, the distribution process for medium-range coal is beginning to flow to coal-fired power plants (PLTU) across the entire island of Java, both those owned by PLN and those owned by our partners or independent power producers,” Darmawan explained, as quoted from PLN’s official Instagram account. Darmawan noted that PLN has received support from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), including Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, the Directorate General of Electricity, and the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal (Minerba), to resolve the coal supply issue. The process of restoring coal supplies is being carried out in coordination with the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal so that medium-range coal can be immediately channelled to power plants. In addition to the coal issue, Darmawan also disclosed that PLN is facing technical disruptions at two large independent power producer (IPP) plants, which forced those facilities to go offline from the Java electricity system. “Under these conditions, we are also facing the challenge of technical problems at two large power plants in Java owned and operated by our partners. Two independent power producer plants experienced technical disruptions and were forced to exit the Java electricity system,” Darmawan clarified. Darmawan apologised for the rolling blackouts in Java and stressed that PLN teams are working around the clock to resolve the disruptions. “For this, we once again offer our sincerest apologies for the disruptions causing rolling blackouts in Java. We are working all out, day and night, so that all these disruptions can be resolved immediately,” Darmawan concluded.