Residents concerned about rotating blackouts

Residents concerned about rotating blackouts

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

When it comes to business, nothing worries Wawan more than a
possible blackout.

As the owner of a computer rental and Internet shop in Kebon
Jeruk, West Jakarta, the 35-year-old could not conceal his relief
when state electricity firm PT PLN canceled its plan to shut down
power in Wawan's neighborhood on Tuesday evening.

"My shop was very busy with customers at that time. I can't
imagine what would have happened if they lost data they had just
typed or copied due to the blackout. I know that PLN will still
shut down power to this area. The problem is we don't know when,"
he said on Thursday.

Since last month, Wawan and most of his friends had endeavored
to save electricity between 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., as suggested by
PLN to consumers, to avoid possible rotating blackouts in Jakarta
due to shortages of supply pending the repair of two of its
plants.

Unfortunately, the recent fuel shortage has forced PLN to
implement rotating blackouts in at least six areas in Jakarta and
Tangerang, including Penggilingan and Cipinang in East Jakarta,
Petukangan in South Jakarta and Kebon Jeruk.

On Tuesday night PLN announced that it now had enough fuel for
its strategic plants.

"We residents have responded quickly to the national campaign
to save power. Now it's time for the government to make sure that
we have enough power," Wawan demanded.

Ella, 40, of Cililitan, East Jakarta, was more concerned about
robberies and other crimes that have been on the increase in her
neighborhood.

"Imagine if this area was in total darkness. The criminals
would love it. Remember, those robbers and thieves are getting
smarter now," she told The Jakarta Post.

Such concerns are growing as state oil and gas company PT
Pertamina, which supplies fuel to PLN, could only assure adequate
fuel for several days ahead.

PLN's head for the Java-Bali grid's distribution and control,
Made Rosakya, said that as of Wednesday, the company only had 220
Megawatts (MW) of buffer supply. It was far below the standard
645 MW required to avoid blackouts.

Currently, Java and Bali require 14,475 MW of power during
peak hours, and as of now we only have 14,695 MW. However, he
said, PLN needs at least 645 MW of buffer supply to safeguard
against possible failure.

"But there would be no blackouts at least until Monday as we
still have enough supply to operate the power plants. Beyond that
time, we can't guarantee anything as it depends on fuel supplies
from Pertamina," he told the Post on Thursday.

"We review our fuel stocks and our ability to supply power on
a daily basis. So, we will announce at least a day before if we
have to implement rotating blackouts. If we receive fuel on time
then there will be no problems," he added.

Made expressed his hope that all residents would continue to
reduce their electricity usage.