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.