Prabowo Instructs Bahlil: Rolling Blackouts in Java Must Not Recur

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, to ensure that rolling blackouts on the island of Java do not happen again.

The directive was issued by Prabowo after summoning Bahlil and the President Director of PT PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, to the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Monday, 22 June 2026.

“President Prabowo’s instruction to us is to immediately ensure that measurable steps are taken to accelerate progress so that such incidents do not recur,” Bahlil told reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex.

Bahlil noted that the Ministry of ESDM and PLN have identified several primary causes for the rolling blackouts in various regions of Java. He identified three main issues.

First, there are technical constraints regarding gas-fired power plants (PLTG), though Bahlil did not provide further details regarding the specific problems facing these plants.

Second, there is an issue regarding the supply of high-calorie versus medium-calorie coal. Bahlable explained that PLN’s total annual coal consumption is 154 million tonnes, while the Ministry of ESDM has assigned companies to serve PLN with approximately 180 to 190 million tonnes.

“Under PLN’s contracts with entrepreneurs, there is 134 million tonnes for one year. We are only in June, so there should be no issue; however, what PLN is complaining about is the availability of medium-calorie coal for blending. We have ensured there are no further problems, and the government is assisting PLN,” he explained.

Third, Bahlil has requested PLN to immediately carry out maintenance on power generation systems and the electrical grid to ensure that services to the public continue to run smoothly.

“However, during the meeting today, PLN informed me that as of today, there will be no more disruptions. That is according to the President Director of PLN. Since technical matters regarding operational electricity services lie with PLN, the government acts as the regulator,” Bahlil concluded.