Massive power outage hits Indonesian capital, W. Java province

A massive power outage hit the Indonesian capital and cities of the neighboring province of West Java on Sunday, paralyzing public transport, telecommunication and water supply in Jakarta.

Train passenger waits at a train station in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 04, 2019. Indonesian capital Jakarta, parts of West Java and Central Java have been hit by a major power blackout. The mass rapid transit (MRT) system had to evacuate passengers from trains. [Photo: EPA via IC]

The blackout that began at noon has stopped power supply to public utilities, houses and economic centers in Jakarta and cities in West Java province.

Only those using generators can secure electric supply for their own purposes.

According to state electricity firm of PLN, the blackout was caused by operational disruption in Suralaya and Cilegon power plants in Banten province that supply the electricity to Jakarta and several cities in West Java province.

In a statement released after the outage, a PLN official said that turbines in the coal-fired Suralaya and gas-fired Cilegon power plants have encountered problems that led to the power outage in Jakarta and outskirt areas.

The power outage in West Java cities was related to high voltage transmission network, PLN said.

As of the evening, most of public areas and residences in Jakarta were still in dark due to lack of electricity.

The electricity outage has apparently disrupted tap water supplies for families in Jakarta.

As all traffic lights have gone off, Jakarta municipal office deployed personnel from traffic and highway transportation office to direct the traffic in key crossroads together with the police.

The power outage also disrupted operation of subway in Jakarta that led to passenger evacuation. The new transportation system in Jakarta, known as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), was suddenly halted as the electricity went off at noon.

The evacuation was conducted by disembarking the passengers from MRT wagons, which stopped on underground railway tracks.

Besides transport and tap water supplies, the outage also disrupted public telecommunications due to lack of power supplies in the stations that generate broadband signals.