PLN Restores Aceh Power Grid as All Substations Return to Service

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara, or PLN, Indonesia’s state-owned power utility, announced Sunday that the electrical grid in Aceh Province has reached full operational recovery following a devastating natural disaster. The restoration of all 20 substations marks a critical turning point for the region, establishing a necessary foundation for the revival of economic activity and public services across the northern tip of Sumatra.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo confirmed that the recovery was underpinned by the comprehensive normalization of both generation and transmission assets. According to Prasodjo, the successful reintegration of the Nagan Raya coal-fired power plant (PLTU) served as a milestone, providing the high-capacity baseload power required to stabilize the provincial system. The plant’s return to service ensures that electricity can be optimally channeled through the regional transmission network to every substation in Aceh.

The technical recovery process involved repairing critical infrastructure that had been severed by recent floods and landslides. Specifically, PLN engineers successfully restored the Arun–Bireuen and Pangkalan Brandan–Langsa transmission lines, which function as the backbone of the North Sumatra–Aceh interconnection.

The utility also prioritized the Nagan–Sigli transmission route to fortify regional reliability. Prasodjo noted that these efforts were carried out under the direct mandate of President Prabowo Subianto and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to ensure that power reaches residents as swiftly as possible.

While the primary grid is now stable, the company is shifting its focus toward the gradual restoration of local distribution networks. PLN crews are currently working in challenging geographical areas where access remains limited due to residual disaster debris. The utility has adopted a cautious, phased approach to reconnecting individual customers, particularly in zones still affected by standing water or mud, to prevent electrical hazards and ensure long-term system integrity.

Despite the systemic recovery, Prasodjo emphasized that safety remains the paramount priority for technicians on the ground. The company is coordinating closely with local authorities to verify that home and business installations are safe for reactivation before finalizing the delivery of power. PLN has pledged to maintain continuous monitoring of the provincial grid until the last remaining customers are successfully brought back online.