Bareskrim Polri Explains Blackout in Sumatra

JAKARTA - The Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police has conveyed the results of the identification and initial investigation related to the blackout or mass power outage that occurred in most parts of Sumatra on Friday, May 22, 2026. From the results of the temporary examination, the disturbance was allegedly triggered by technical factors and extreme weather which caused the transmission cable of the Extra High Voltage Air Channel (SUTET) 275 kV Muara Bungo-Sungai Rumpeh line in Jambi to break.

"On Sunday, May 24, 2026, the joint team has carried out joint investigative activities in the field related to the occurrence of electrical system disturbances or blackouts in most of Sumatra," said Deputy Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit (Wakabareskrim) of the National Police, Nunung, at a press conference at the National Police Headquarters, South Jakarta, Monday, May 25, 2026.

Nunung said that field investigations were carried out around tower 175 and tower 176 of the electricity transmission network in Temino Village, Mestong District, Muaro Jambi Regency, Jambi Province. From the initial identification results, it was found that the disturbance occurred on Friday, May 22, 2026 at around 18.44 WIB, when the SUTET 275 kV transmission network experienced a disturbance that caused the transmission system to go out of the electricity interconnection of Sumatra.

"The disruption caused instability in frequency and electrical voltage, which then triggered a series of plant trips, resulting in mass blackouts in a number of areas in Sumatra, including Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, and part of South Sumatra," he explained.

According to Nunung, the joint team also found a broken transmission cable at the location which was suspected to be the starting point of the disturbance. Meanwhile, the physical condition of the transmission tower is said to be in good condition and no significant damage to the tower structure was found.

"Based on initial information on the ground, the incident of the transmission cable breaking is suspected to have occurred suddenly due to the influence of weather factors and still requires further technical and scientific exploration," he said.

Nunung said the allegations were strengthened by the statements of a number of residents around the scene who heard the sound of an explosion shortly before the power outage occurred. The broken cable has now been secured and taken to the Puslabfor Polri for laboratory examination to determine the cause of the damage.

In addition, Nunung ensured that until now there was no indication of sabotage or intentional elements in the blackout incident. The provisional suspicion points to technical factors and extreme weather that triggered disturbances in the electricity transmission system.

"Why can we be sure that this is not a sabotage factor? Because the damage or the break of this cable or network is not neat. It is more fibrous or fibrous. So if it is sabotage, the pieces must be more neat," he said.

Nunung emphasized that currently the condition of the electricity system in the Sumatra region has been fully restored.

"Based on official information from PT PLN, electricity supply throughout the Sumatran region has returned to 100 percent normal and operates safely and stably," he concluded.