The islands of Java, Madura, and Bali (Jamali) are facing a serious electricity crisis. Rolling blackouts have reportedly been underway since Monday (8/6/2026) in several regions, including Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, and East Java, with the Jamali grid reportedly facing a power deficit of up to 750 MW during the day, surging to 1,500 MW during peak evening load.
Coal Stocks Nearly Depleted
A source from PLN's central office stated that rolling blackouts in Java were a necessary measure to distribute available energy fairly, while Bali and Jakarta were being prioritized to remain powered, reportedly due to directives from PLN headquarters to maintain performance while the President is in Jakarta.
Teuku Yudhistira, National Coordinator of the Electricity Volunteers for the Nation (Kornas Re-LUN), presented alarming data. According to his figures, PLN Group-operated power plants have only about 12 days of coal reserves left, while independent power producer (IPP) plants have just 11 days far below the PLN Director's Regulation standard requiring a minimum stock of 26 days. As of June 9, 2026, several Jamali power plants under PLN Group control have entered "red alert" status, including Paiton, Pacitan, Tanjung Awar-awar, Rembang, Indramayu, Adipala, Pelabuhan Ratu, Lontar, Labuan, and Tanjung Jati. Meanwhile, IPP plants also in critical condition include Paiton, Jawa, Cilacap, and Celukan Bawang.
Yudhistira urged President Prabowo to take immediate strategic action, stressing that electricity is a vital necessity and that failure to act quickly could paralyze Java.
Calls for Total Overhaul of PLN's Board at June 15 Shareholders Meeting
The crisis comes amid intense scrutiny of PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo, who has held the position for nearly six years. Yudhistira believes the upcoming General Meeting of Shareholders (RUPS), scheduled for June 15, 2026, as confirmed by Danantara's COO Dony Oskaria, should be used by the President to overhaul PLN's board of directors and commissioners entirely.
He argued that Darmawan Prasodjo deserves removal, citing poor performance allegedly focused more on image-building, while the company has been battered under his leadership. Other directors, such as LHC Director Yusuf Didi, were also named as candidates for replacement to bring fresh leadership.
These accusations add to a string of criticisms directed at Darmawan since the major blackouts that hit Sumatra in late May 2026. Civil society group Jaga Marwah has openly stated that Darmawan is no longer fit to lead PLN and should be dismissed due to his excessively long tenure.
PLN has not yet issued an official response to these allegations or the upcoming shareholders meeting.
