Sedanau Electricity Supply Not Yet Normal, PLN Adds Two Generating Units
Electricity supply on Sedanau Island, Natuna Regency, Riau Islands, has not yet fully returned to normal after one of the generating units suffered damage. To reduce the power deficit and shorten the duration of blackouts, PT PLN (Persero) Natuna Customer Service Unit (ULP) has added two mobile power plant units.
PLN ULP Natuna Manager Rafki Chandra said the disruption occurred on a 250-kilowatt (kW) diesel power plant due to damage to the cylinder head. The damage caused a reduction in supply capacity, forcing PLN to implement rolling blackouts to maintain the stability of the electrical system on Sedanau.
"The power deficit occurred because one generating unit experienced a disruption and is currently under repair," he said on Monday (20/7). As a response, PLN brought in two mobile generating units to Sedanau Island on Tuesday (14/7). Both units were immediately operated to strengthen electricity supply for the community.
He explained that the Sedanau electrical system has a peak load of around 620 kW with a total of 1,916 customers. Although the two additional units are operational, the system still faces a power shortfall of approximately 10 kW. This means PLN must still carry out limited supply management in certain locations. However, the duration of blackouts has been significantly reduced compared to before the additional units were operated.
"Currently there is still a power shortfall of around 10 kW. At certain times, limited supply management is still required in some locations to keep the system reliable and prevent wider disruptions," he said. According to him, supply restrictions are necessary to maintain the reliability of the generating units. If the entire load is forced to be served when available power is insufficient, the units risk tripping and triggering a wider blackout.
In addition to adding generating units, PLN is accelerating the repair of the main damaged unit so that electricity supply in Sedanau can return to normal as soon as possible. "PLN continues to accelerate the repair process. The unit is expected to resume operation so that supply can return to normal," he added.
A Sedanau resident, Parlin, 35, said the electricity situation in his area has begun to improve since the two additional generating units were operated. According to him, the rolling blackouts are also being implemented fairly across the community. "The blackouts do not last long. According to the schedule, the power is off for three hours, then on for six hours, and that pattern repeats. No one is given special treatment; everything is applied fairly and evenly," he said.
PLN hopes that the operation of the two additional generating units and the acceleration of the main unit repair will soon restore the electrical system on Sedanau Island so that the community can once again receive normal electricity service.