PLN secures additional 1.8 million tonnes of coal to strengthen Java power system
Friday, July 3 2026 - 06:38 AM WIB
By Cepi Setiadi
State utility PT PLN (Persero) has secured an additional 1.8 million tonnes of medium- to high-calorific-value coal for July under a special government allocation, as part of efforts to strengthen the reliability of the Java power system following recent electricity supply constraints.
Speaking during a hearing with Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday, PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said the additional supply, consisting of coal with a calorific value of 4,500 kcal/kg and above, was allocated by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) on top of PLN's existing contracted supply.
The July allocation will be followed by an additional 3 million tonnes per month from August through December 2026 under a government assignment coordinated by the Ministry's Directorate General of Mineral and Coal.
According to Darmawan, the dedicated coal supply is expected to increase the Java system's dependable generating capacity by around 5 GW, lifting available supply capability above 35.9 GW and significantly improving system reliability.
"The Java electricity system has not experienced any rolling blackouts since June 21, 2026," Darmawan told lawmakers, attributing the improvement to the additional supply of higher-calorific-value coal.
He acknowledged that the Java grid had previously faced electricity supply constraints as domestic coal production has gradually shifted toward lower-calorific-value coal, while production of medium- and high-calorific-value coal has declined.
To address the issue, PLN requested the Ministry of ESDM to provide additional supplies of coal with a calorific value of at least 4,500 kcal/kg through a special government assignment.
"The additional coal allocation has corrected the fuel supply constraints that temporarily affected the Java power system, allowing us to restore system reliability," he said.
The additional coal allocation forms part of PLN's broader roadmap to enhance the reliability of the national electricity system and ensure stable power supply across Java.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak