December 16, 2025 | 02:14 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s (ESDM) Disaster Alert Team reported that electricity has been restored in 5,961 of the 6,500 villages affected by floods and landslides in Aceh.
As of Monday, December 15, 2025, at 07:00 PM local time Western Indonesia Time (WIB), 539 villages remain without power.
According to data published on the ministry’s official website and cited by Antara on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, a total of 970,954 customers were affected by the disaster in Aceh. Of that number, electricity has been restored to 774,401 customers.
The regencies with the highest number of villages still experiencing power outages are Aceh Tengah with 147 villages, followed by Bener Meriah (140), Aceh Tamiang (99), Gayo Lues (69), and Aceh Timur (41). Other affected regencies include Aceh Utara, Bireuen, Nagan Raya, Aceh Tenggara, and Aceh Barat.
In North Sumatra, power restoration has reached most affected areas. Of 554,048 customers impacted by floods and landslides, electricity has been restored to 543,346.
Although recovery efforts were initially completed across all districts, renewed heavy rainfall, landslides, and road blockages have disrupted restoration work in three regencies.
In Tapanuli Tengah, five of 215 villages remain without power. In Tapanuli Utara, four out of 395 villages are still affected, while in Tapanuli Selatan, one of 211 villages has yet to regain electricity.
West Sumatra has also faced setbacks due to subsequent flooding. A total of 274,564 customers were affected, with power restored to 273,804 of them.
However, three hamlets were re-flooded: Jorong Lambeh, affecting 145 customers; Jorong Batu Busuak, affecting 530 customers; and Jorong Labuah, affecting 85 customers.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia addressed the challenges of electricity restoration during a full cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday, December 15. He cited damaged and impassable roads, fallen electricity poles, and villages still submerged by floodwaters as major obstacles.
“If we force electricity supply to areas that remain inundated, it could pose serious safety risks,” Bahlil said.
He added that Banda Aceh currently has a power generation capacity of around 110 megawatts, with an average load of approximately 66 megawatts, although some electricity supply still relies on generators. The main transmission network has been restored to about 80–90 percent capacity.
Bahlil estimated that full normalization could be achieved within the next few weeks. “Once this is completed, electricity supply from Arun and Bireuen can fully return to normal,” he said.
Regarding inter-island transmission across Sumatra, Bahlil noted that the main grid connections are already in place. However, despite the interconnected network, electricity distribution to villages continues to be hampered by severe infrastructure damage.
Read: Purbaya Prepares Rp60tn for Sumatra Disaster Recovery
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Aceh Governor Accepts More Foreign Aid Despite Prabowo's Stance
1 jam lalu
The Aceh Governor's stance on foreign assistance contrasts with that of President Prabowo Subianto.
UN Monitors Sumatra Disaster, Supports Recovery Efforts
5 jam lalu
The United Nations (UN) has confirmed its active role in coordinating the emergency response across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Indonesian Military Deploys 35,477 Personnel for Sumatra Flood Relief
7 jam lalu
The 35,477 personnel are a combination of three branches of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) for flood relief in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
600 Doctors to Be Sent to Flood-hit Areas in Sumatra
8 jam lalu
600 general practitioners, specialists, and nurses will be deployed to hospitals and community health centers in areas affected by Sumatra floods.
Prabowo Orders Construction of 2,000 Homes for Sumatra Disaster Victims
20 jam lalu
Construction of 2,000 housing units is set to begin this week, as Prabowo pledges to use state land and fast-track permits to ensure swift relocation.
Prabowo Slams Regents for Leaving Their Regions During Disasters
20 jam lalu
President Prabowo Subianto claimed that the regent was disloyal to the people.
Prabowo Says Disaster Response Reflects His Leadership, Responsibility
21 jam lalu
President Prabowo says the Sumatra disaster response reflects his leadership and responsibility. "That is the risk of leadership," he said.
UNICEF Indonesia Says It Is Ready to Support Aceh's Post-Disaster Recovery
22 jam lalu
UNICEF Indonesia is currently reviewing the requested areas of support in coordination with relevant authorities.
UNDP Responds to Aceh's Request for Post-Disaster Recovery Support
23 jam lalu
The Aceh government has written to two UN agencies, asking them to assist with recovery efforts following the disaster in Sumatra.
Rice Prices Surge in Aceh After Sumatra Floods
23 jam lalu
Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported that the average rice prices in Aceh were around Rp14,712 per kilogram.
