TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – State-owned electricity company PT PLN (Persero) announced that one of the two power plants that had previously suffered operational disruptions has been reconnected to the Java power grid, marking a step toward easing the rolling blackouts that have affected parts of Indonesia’s most populous island over the past two weeks.
PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said the restored power plant resumed operations on Sunday evening, June 21.
"One of the power plants has been successfully restored. At 6:00 p.m., it was synchronized with the Java power system and began supplying electricity to strengthen the reliability of the grid," Darmawan said during a virtual press conference.
According to Darmawan, the additional generation capacity is expected to reduce the frequency of rolling blackouts in the coming days. However, he did not specify when the outages would end completely.
In addition to restoring the affected plant, PLN is working to improve fuel supply chain management and strengthen power generation operations.
"We are striving to ensure that the ongoing improvements can be maintained and further enhanced," he said.
Rolling blackouts have affected multiple areas across Java since June 8. Based on Tempo's records, electricity disruptions were reported in all six provinces on the island between June 8 and June 21.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia previously attributed the outages in part to a shortage of medium-calorific coal used by power plants.
He said some mining companies have been reluctant to supply the fuel to PLN because of the widening gap between Indonesia’s regulated domestic coal price and market rates.
Under Indonesia’s Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) policy, coal supplied to PLN is capped at US$70 per ton. By comparison, the government’s Coal Reference Price (HBA) as of June 1 stood at US$121.83 per ton for 6,322 kcal/kg coal and US$84.53 per ton for medium-calorific 5,300 kcal/kg coal.
"At those prices, selling coal to PLN is no longer economically viable for some companies. That's the problem," Bahlil said.
The minister also noted that PLN requires around 154 million metric tons of coal annually. So far, the utility has secured contracts for approximately 134 million tons, leaving a supply gap of about 20 million tons.
Meanwhile, Gita Mahyarani, Executive Director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI), said coal availability issues stem from broader structural challenges beyond pricing.
She pointed to production restrictions under Indonesia’s 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) policy, which limits output flexibility among coal producers.
"Production is currently being adjusted under the RKAB framework, reducing producers' flexibility compared to previous years," Gita said in a written statement.
Read: Purbaya Says Indonesia's Economic Indicators Continue to Strengthen
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
PLN Secures Medium-Rank Coal to End Java Blackouts
1 hari lalu
PLN lists the Java power plants receiving medium-rank coal as the state utility scrambles to secure supply and prevent further blackouts.
PLN Accelerates Coal Procurement for Power Plants
2 hari lalu
PLN CEO Darmawan Prasodjo claims that medium-rank coal has begun to flow to several power plants in Java.
How PLN's Rolling Blackout Affects Small Businesses in Bandung
2 hari lalu
PLN reported that two large power generating units experienced disturbances, causing them to temporarily cease operation and reduce electricity supply capacity.
What Caused PLN's Rolling Power Outages Across Java
2 hari lalu
PLN has implemented rolling blackouts across Java amid coal supply disputes linked to the domestic price cap.
Bahlil Assures No Planned Blackouts Amid PLN Coal Supply Concerns
3 hari lalu
The Energy Minister also formed a medium-calorie coal procurement team to address PLN's fuel supply challenges.
Indonesia Hikes Coal Production Quota over 600 Million Tons
4 hari lalu
Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia previously stated that the government would implement a relaxation on the coal production quota.
Indonesia to Cull Subsidiaries of State Power Firm PLN by 2028
17 hari lalu
Danantara targets simplifying the business structure of PLN to increase operational efficiency.
PLN Links Higher Electricity Bills to Increased Household Activity
19 hari lalu
PLN has reiterated that electricity tariffs for April-June 2026 remain unchanged from the previous quarter.
PLN Denies Tariff Hike as Customers Complain of High Bills
19 hari lalu
State electricity firm PLN asserts that electricity tariffs remain unchanged despite widespread social media complaints over soaring bills.
Top 3 News: LBH Urges Compensation Sumatra Blackout, Danantara to Review PLN
25 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
