Science
Jun 17, 20261
59%
Bandung Faces Rising Power Outages Amid Extreme El Niño Conditions
Bandung residents are experiencing increasing rolling power outages without adequate warning, disrupting daily life and small businesses. Experts attribute the crisis to extreme El Niño conditions that simultaneously boost electricity demand through heat-driven air-conditioning use while reducing hydroelectric power generation due to declining water flows. Authorities are being urged to improve communication, prepare contingency measures, and diversify energy sources.
Quick Facts
Who
Bandung residents
What
Rolling power outages occurring with increasing frequency
When
June 2026
Where
Bandung city and surroundings
- Rolling power outages occurring with increasing frequency
- Lack of advance notice to residents before outages
- Disruption of household and business activities
- Equipment damage concerns from repeated power cuts
- Calls for energy diversification and better grid preparation
Residents of Bandung are growing increasingly frustrated with the rising frequency of rolling power outages occurring without adequate advance notice, disrupting household activities and small businesses that depend on reliable electricity supply. Among those affected are home-based entrepreneurs who struggle to prepare for sudden blackouts, and workers concerned about equipment damage and uncomfortable indoor conditions when air conditioning systems fail during outages.
Experts from ITB's School of Electrical Engineering and Informatics attribute the power crisis to extreme El Niño conditions—referred to colloquially as the "Godzilla" El Niño—which simultaneously increases electricity demand and reduces generation capacity. The extreme heat drives massive air-conditioning usage across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, significantly raising overall power consumption. At the same time, prolonged dry season conditions caused by El Niño reduce water flow in rivers and reservoirs, directly limiting output from hydroelectric power plants (PLTA), including major facilities such as Cirata and Saguling in West Java.
This dual pressure—surging demand combined with constrained supply—creates severe strain on the regional power grid. Dr. Kevin Marojahan Banjar Nahor, a power systems expert at ITB, emphasized that the impact cannot be underestimated, as the imbalance between electricity supply and demand threatens grid stability, particularly as the dry season intensifies. Residents and small business owners are calling for better communication and advance notice of outages to allow time to prepare and protect perishable goods and sensitive equipment.
The situation has prompted broader calls for action from authorities and the state electricity company (PLN) to implement anticipatory measures and diversify energy sources. Experts stress the need for early intervention to prevent the dry season from reaching peak conditions with an even more strained power system. Better preparation and a more balanced energy portfolio are seen as essential to maintaining stable electricity supply during this critical period.
Why This Matters
Bandung's power crisis directly affects millions of residents and countless small businesses that lack contingency resources. Understanding the dual mechanism—simultaneous demand surge and supply collapse—is critical for readers in tropical regions facing similar climate pressures. Actionable outcomes include demand for transparent outage schedules, personal backup power strategies, and advocating for energy diversification in their own communities.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 17, 2026
WireIDN Times Jabar publishes report on escalating power outage crisis and expert analysis