PLN Accelerates Electricity Recovery After Floods in Aceh and North Sumatra

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - PT PLN Persero is accelerating the normalization of electricity in flood disaster areas in Aceh and North Sumatra. Collaboration with the joint disaster response team is aiding the recovery of infrastructure to ensure the continuity of community activities in disaster situations.

In Aceh, PLN is collaborating with the Air Force (AU) to transport and install emergency electricity towers. The materials were flown in by Hercules aircraft from Halim Perdanakusuma Airfield, Jakarta, to Aceh on Thursday (27/11/2025) morning.

In an official release quoted on Friday (November 28, 2025), the materials arrived at Iskandar Muda Air Force Base in Aceh before being reconstructed to construct emergency towers at affected locations, including the Bireun-Arun, Brandan-Langsa, and Peusangan-Bireun routes.

General Manager of PLN's Main Distribution Unit (UID) Aceh, Eddi Saputra, emphasized that accelerating recovery is PLN's top priority.

Previously, based on the results of the location search of the affected High Voltage Air Duct (SUTT) network, PLN found more damage to the towers.

If previously there were indications that five transmission towers had collapsed, now damage has been found to up to 12 towers on several 150 KV SUTT transmission lines, namely the Bireun-Arun line, the Brandan-Langsa line and the Peusangan-Bireun line.

"This situation requires us to increase the volume of materials and speed up distribution to the location," said Eddi.

Electrical tower materials were brought from various regions, including Padang, Lampung, Palembang, Pekanbaru, Jambi, and even West Java. This mobilization was aided by the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), which can reach locations inaccessible by land.

"As soon as the materials arrived, the team immediately moved to deliver them to priority locations for the construction of emergency towers," he explained.

PLN has also increased the number of field personnel from dispersed units to strengthen network security, handle disruptions, and expedite the construction of temporary structures. In addition, intensive coordination is being carried out with local governments, the military, the police, and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to ensure that the entire recovery process proceeds safely and in an integrated manner.

In North Sumatra, PT PLN Distribution Unit of North Sumatra (UID Sumut) is also taking swift action in response to extreme weather that triggers floods and landslides in several areas. More than 701 personnel are on standby and deployed across all service units.

The standby team immediately secured the PLN network installations and expedited the recovery of electrical infrastructure damaged by flooding, landslide debris, and fallen trees.

The electricity system affected by the disaster has been recorded in various regions, including Medan, Binjai, Langkat, Deli Serdang, Karo, South Tapanuli, North Tapanuli, the city of Sibolga, Central Tapanuli Regency, and the Nias Islands.

The Communication and TJSL Manager of PLN UID North Sumatra, Surya Sahputra Sitepu, stated that they are gradually conducting recovery efforts at points that have been declared safe from water inundation, flood currents, landslide materials, and the risk of subsequent disasters.

"All field work is carried out with a zero-accident principle, ensuring no repairs are undertaken until conditions are completely safe. However, PLN is committed to restoring the electricity system until it is fully restored," Surya said in a statement on Thursday (November 27, 2025).

Surya also appealed to the public to be aware of potential electrical hazards amidst the extreme weather that has hit.

"Immediately report if you see damaged electrical networks or those that may pose a danger. Do not touch electrical equipment that is submerged in water or networks that appear to be sagging. Use the PLN Mobile application or Call Center 123 so that reports can be addressed promptly," he added.

A series of wet hydrometeorological disasters due to extreme weather has struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra since Monday (24/11/2025). Tropical Cyclone Senyar has brought very heavy rainfall to the three affected provinces. This has triggered floods, flash floods, and landslides, as well as disrupted transportation and shipping services.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that as of Thursday (27/11/2025), nine cities and regencies in Aceh experienced flooding, as well as nine regencies and cities in North Sumatra, and three cities and regencies in West Sumatra. In response to this incident, the government declared a State of Emergency in North Tapanuli and South Tapanuli.