PLN urges S. Sumatra governor to reopen coal truck routes to prevent power outages
Thursday, January 22 2026 - 02:01 PM WIB
By Romel S. Gurky
State electricity firm PT PLN (Persero) has urged the Governor of South Sumatra to allow coal-hauling trucks supplying the Bengkulu coal-fired power plant to resume operations, warning that prolonged disruption could trigger electricity outages across parts of Sumatra.
PLN said coal stockpiles at the PLTU Bengkulu are currently sufficient for only around three days of operation due to halted deliveries. The power plant has an installed capacity of around 2 x 100 megawatts, making it a key contributor to electricity supply in southern Sumatra.
Director of Power Generation Management at PLN, Rizal Calvary Marimbo, said coal distribution to the Bengkulu plant has stopped following restrictions to use public road to haul coal imposed by South Sumatra provincial administration starting this year.
“At present, the power plant is not receiving coal supplies due to pressure from the provincial government. Available stock is extremely limited and will only last for the next three days,” Rizal said.
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He explained that PLTU Bengkulu plays an important role in the Sumatra power system, particularly in the southern region. Any further disruption to coal supply could force the plant to reduce output, undermining the reliability of electricity supply.
“If coal distribution is not normalized immediately, the risk of power outages will not be confined to Bengkulu, but could spread to parts of South Sumatra and even Jambi,” he warned.
“I respectfully ask the Governor of South Sumatra to reopen access so that coal trucks can immediately resume deliveries to meet coal supply needs at the Bengkulu power plant,” Rizal said.
PLN emphasized that maintaining a reliable electricity supply is a matter of national strategic importance, as electricity underpins economic activity, public services, and industrial operations. The company added it continues to coordinate closely with regional governments and other stakeholders to restore coal distribution and minimize the risk of power disruptions across Sumatra.
Editing by Alexander Ginting