Two Coal-Fired Power Plants Disrupted, Triggering Rolling Blackouts
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has revealed that two power plants experienced disruptions, contributing to the rolling blackouts that recently affected several areas of Java.
Acting Director General of Electricity Tri Winarno stated that the two plants in question are the Cilacap Coal-Fired Power Plant (PLTU) Unit 1, with a capacity of 300 MW, and PLTU Cilacap Unit 4 (or 3A), with a capacity of 1,000 MW. “PLTU Cilacap 1 and PLTU Cilacap 4. God willing, there are no more issues now,” Tri said when met at the Ministry of ESDM in Jakarta on Monday (22/6/2026).
According to Tri, the disruptions at both plants were primarily caused by maintenance factors, which temporarily affected their operations. He emphasised that the ministry conducts regular monitoring of coal supply for power plants, though the execution of procurement contracts falls under the authority of the respective companies. “We have monitoring, but regarding the contracts, we were not initially aware. But now there have been improvements. Governance has started to improve from PLN’s side,” Tri explained.
He noted that the government has assigned coal mining companies to fulfil a Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) of 191 million tonnes. PLN’s annual coal requirement for national power plants ranges between 152 million and 154 million tonnes. “So there is actually a gap there, and the follow-up lies with PLN’s contracts. PLN’s contracts already cover 134 million tonnes. The scheduling issue is not under the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal. But hopefully, this will be a valuable lesson for the future,” Tri said.
Previously, PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo disclosed that the electricity system condition, particularly in Java, has begun to improve after rolling blackouts occurred in several areas last week. He made the statement before meeting President Prabowo at the State Palace. According to him, the Java electricity system started recovering on Sunday. “We apologise to the public for the inconvenience caused by the rolling blackouts,” Darmawan said at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday (22/6/2026).
He explained that primary energy supplies meeting the specifications required by power plants, both those owned by PLN and private Independent Power Producers (IPP), have begun flowing again, thereby strengthening the resilience of Java’s electricity system. Furthermore, two large power plants owned by PLN’s partners, which had previously experienced technical disruptions and were disconnected from the grid, are now in the process of recovery. One plant was successfully repaired and re-synchronised with the Java electricity system on Sunday night. “And there was good news last night, one large power plant was successfully restored and synchronised with the Java electricity system and has begun supplying electricity to the Java system,” he said.
Darmawan expressed his appreciation to the government, particularly the Ministry of ESDM and Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, for their support, guidance, and coordination during the system recovery process. “We are also improving the governance of the primary energy supply chain and strengthening power plants, both those owned by PLN and our partners, the Independent Power Producers. We are making an all-out effort, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in monitoring and mapping all our efforts so that the reliability of the Java electricity system can be maintained and even enhanced,” he said.