PLN Reports Electricity Recovery In North Sumatra Reaches 98.61 Percent

PT PLN (Persero) reported that until December 5, 2025, the electricity recovery rate in North Sumatra reached 98.61 percent, along with acceleration efforts carried out on all sides of the electricity system, ranging from distribution, transmission, substation, to power plants.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo explained that his party managed to complete the replacement of 900 electric poles that had previously been damaged in Sibolga City and Central Tapanuli Regency.

This development was successfully carried out despite field conditions that were difficult to deal with by PLN, ranging from extreme weather, subsequent landslides that caused electric poles to fall again, to slippery and prone soil conditions.

"According to the Government's directives through the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, we continue to mobilize all resources to accelerate the recovery of electricity in Sumatra. Alhamdulillah, with the spirit of mutual cooperation with the TNI, Polri, and Regional Government, Friday, electricity supply for more than 92,000 people in Sibolga and Central Tapanuli has returned to flow," said Darmawan, Friday, December 5.

Even though they have to work in minimal conditions of lighting, Darmawan continued, officers continue to move in the field. Due to the high risk of landslides, heavy equipment cannot be operated so all materials must be transported manually to affected locations.

Recovery is carried out in stages by prioritizing services for vital objects such as telecommunications base transceiver stations (BTS), health facilities, and evacuation posts.

Collaboration with the Regional Government, TNI, Polri, and the community continues to be strengthened to accelerate recovery at priority points.

"Although the terrain is quite challenging, PLN officers work non-24 hours to restore the affected network as soon as possible. Our focus is one, so that electricity supply can return to flow in various regions," added Darmawan.

Previously, PLN had succeeded in improving the 150 kiloVolt (kV) transmission network on the Tarutung 'Sibolga route which collapsed due to flooding.

Sibolga Substation has also been successfully restored and re-voltaged. Normalization of transmission infrastructure is crucial so that the electricity system in North Sumatra can be fully restored.

Selain pemulihan jaringan distribusi dan transmisi, pemulihan dari sisi pembangkit juga terus dikebut.

PLN telah berhasil mengoperasikan PLTA Sipansihaporas Unit 2 dengan beban hingga 4,5 Megawatt (MW) di Tapanuli Tengah sejak 2 Desember.

Beroperasinya pembangkit listrik ini membantu menjaga ketersediaan suplai listrik untuk wilayah Sibolga, Pandan, dan Tapanuli Tengah selama proses pemulihan jaringan berlangsung.

In addition to restoring distribution and transmission networks, recovery from the generator side also continues to be accelerated.

PLN has successfully operated the Sipansihaporas Unit 2 hydropower plant with loads of up to 4.5 Megawatts (MW) in Central Tapanuli since December 2.

The operation of this power plant helps maintain the availability of electricity supply for the Sibolga, Pandan, and Central Tapanuli regions during the network recovery process.