Bahlil Reveals the Root of the PLN Supply Problem, Not a Lack of Coal but the Wrong Type

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. (Teddy Kurniawan VOI)

JAKARTA - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that the problem that had disrupted PLN's electricity supply was not caused by a lack of coal overall, but by a limitation of coal with certain specifications.

According to Bahlil, PLN needs medium-calorific coal for the process of mixing fuel for power plants. This type of coal is now increasingly limited in the market.

"What PLN complains about is medium-calorific coal for blending. That's the problem," Bahlil told reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday, June 22.

He explained that around 80 percent of national coal production is currently dominated by low to medium calorific coal. Meanwhile, coal with a calorific value of around 5,800 to 6,300 is less than 20 percent of the total national production.

This condition makes PLN have to make adjustments in the use of plant fuel.

However, Bahlil ensured that the government had helped PLN find the necessary supplies and the problem was now beginning to be resolved.

In a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, the government also evaluated the condition of power plants and maintenance programs run by PLN.

Bahlil said the PLN Board of Directors reported that the previous disruption was no longer found starting this Monday.

"We ask PLN to immediately carry out maintenance so that the service to the community is really maintained," he said.

Apart from electricity supply, the meeting also discussed national energy resilience which according to the government is currently above the minimum limit, with an average energy reserve of more than 20 days.