PT PLN is diligently working to restore Sumatra’s electricity system following a significant disruption to the 275-kilovolt (kV) Extra High Voltage Air Line transmission grid between Muara Bungo and Sungai Rumbai in Jambi. This critical failure occurred on Friday, May 22nd. As of Saturday, May 23rd, substantial progress has been made, with 8.3 million customers already regaining access to electricity out of a total of 13.1 million affected by the outage.
PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo confirmed that the state electricity company mobilized immediately to inspect and initiate power system recovery efforts. The response began swiftly around 6:44 PM WIB on Friday, May 22nd, as soon as the initial disruption occurred. Early investigations indicate that severe weather conditions were the primary cause, leading to widespread repercussions across a considerable segment of Sumatra’s electricity network.
“The disruption in this vital transmission segment had a broad impact on parts of Sumatra’s transmission system. This subsequently caused a significant frequency drop due to a heavy generator load, triggering a detrimental domino effect of outages across numerous regions,” Darmawan elaborated in a written statement released on Saturday, May 23rd.
In a crucial development, the affected transmission line was successfully restored within approximately two hours. Following this initial success in mending the transmission grid, Darmawan stated that PLN’s main focus shifted to the complex process of reactivating the previously impacted power plants and meticulously synchronizing them with the now-ready transmission system.
He further detailed the systematic and phased approach adopted for power plant startup, underscoring system safety as the paramount concern throughout the process. “Hydro and gas-based power plants provided immediate assistance, acting as a rapid response mechanism to accelerate the initial phase of recovery. In contrast, thermal power plants, such as coal-fired power plants (PLTUs), demand a longer restoration timeline, typically requiring between 15 to 20 hours for complete start-up, synchronization, and full operational capacity,” he explained.
These comprehensive recovery efforts are being executed simultaneously across transmission lines, substations, and power generation facilities throughout Sumatra’s intricate electricity system. To support this monumental undertaking, PLN has deployed hundreds of dedicated personnel, who are working tirelessly 24 hours a day across various affected regions, including Jambi, West Sumatra, Riau, North Sumatra, and Aceh.
Darmawan provided an updated progress report, indicating that by 10:00 AM WIB on Saturday, May 23rd, over 3,192 MW of electricity supply had been successfully distributed, recovering a substantial portion of the 5,334 MW initially impacted. Furthermore, 157 substations out of a total of 176 affected have resumed operations, consequently leading to the reconnection of 8,351,670 customers.
“Currently, all PLN officers and technical teams are working around the clock in the field. The restoration process is continuously progressing, and we are giving our absolute best to ensure that electricity supply to the public is gradually and safely reinstated as swiftly as possible,” Darmawan affirmed with unwavering commitment.
He added that PLN is maintaining close coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), local governments, relevant authorities, and all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient recovery process. All current efforts are intensely focused on accelerating system restoration, aiming for a complete return to normal electricity supply for the community while simultaneously upholding the highest standards of system reliability.
“We extend our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience and disruption experienced. We remain vigilant and wholly committed to ensuring the electricity system recovers swiftly, allowing the community to enjoy uninterrupted power as soon as possible,” Darmawan concluded.
Summary
PT PLN swiftly responded to a significant disruption in Sumatra’s 275-kilovolt (kV) transmission grid on Friday, May 22nd, which was primarily caused by severe weather conditions. This critical failure between Muara Bungo and Sungai Rumbai led to widespread power outages, initially affecting 13.1 million customers across various regions. Hundreds of personnel were immediately deployed to inspect and commence recovery operations across the affected Sumatra electricity network.
Substantial progress was made by Saturday, May 23rd, with 8.3 million customers already regaining access to electricity after the main transmission line was restored within two hours. PLN’s phased recovery efforts prioritize system safety, reactivating power plants and synchronizing them with the grid. The company continues to work around the clock, coordinating with stakeholders to ensure the complete and safe restoration of electricity supply as quickly as possible.