Bahlil: Rolling blackouts stem from PLN technical issues, not coal

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said rolling blackouts in a number of regions were caused by technical operational and distribution problems at PT PLN (Persero), not a shortage of coal supplies. He said the government had asked PLN to immediately take measured and comprehensive mitigation steps so the disruption would not recur. Bahlil said PLN’s national coal needs reach 154 million tons per year. To meet that, the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal has assigned domestic coal companies to supply 180 million to 190 million tons. He said issues in delivery until coal arrives at power plants are a matter of PLN’s logistics management. Bahlil also said he had spoken with PLN’s chief executive and pressed for faster recovery and a review of the electricity operating system.