After Spain, Blackout in Bali (Indonesia), China Has Significant Role in Power Supply

Bali’s blackout is not an isolated incident. Just days earlier, Spain and Portugal experienced a massive power outage, raising questions about the resilience of energy infrastructure worldwide. These events highlight the need for robust systems to prevent and manage large-scale disruptions, especially in regions heavily reliant on tourism and international connectivity.

In Bali, the blackout serves as a wake-up call for authorities to invest in modernizing the island’s power grid. Ensuring a stable electricity supply is essential to maintaining Bali’s status as a global tourism leader. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to prevent and recover from such outages will be a key factor in sustaining economic growth.

Chinese Role in Global Power Supply

• Global Presence: Chinese firms dominate the global supply of renewable energy components (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines, inverters) and grid technologies (e.g., transformers, control systems). For instance, China supplies over 80% of the world’s solar panels and significant portions of grid hardware.
• Spain, Portugal, Indonesia, and India, recently hit by mass power outages, rely significantly on Chinese technology for their energy infrastructure. In Spain and Portugal, Chinese firms like Huawei supply solar inverters and grid components, while China’s State Grid holds a 25% stake in Portugal’s REN. Indonesia’s power sector, including Bali’s grid, uses Chinese-funded coal plants and transmission systems under the Belt and Road Initiative. India imports critical power equipment, like transformers, from China, with 30% of its grid components sourced there. This dependence raises concerns about cybersecurity and supply chain vulnerabilities, though no direct link to outages exists.

How the Blackout Affected Bali’s Airport

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, a gateway for millions of travelers, was not spared by the blackout. While the airport operator confirmed that flight operations continued, the lack of power led to long queues at check-in counters and delays in processing passengers. Social media posts highlighted the frustration of travelers waiting in crowded terminals, with some sharing images of dimly lit departure areas.

Despite the challenges, the airport’s ability to maintain flight schedules was a silver lining. Authorities worked swiftly to ensure minimal disruption to inbound and outbound traffic, but the blackout underscored the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in a major tourist destination.

Ongoing Efforts to Restore Power

State utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has been working tirelessly to address the blackout. According to I Wayan Eka Susana, PLN’s spokesperson in Bali, the recovery process is being carried out gradually. While the exact cause of the outage remains under investigation, PLN’s commitment to restoring power offers hope to residents and businesses alike.

The gradual restoration process involves prioritizing key areas, such as hospitals, emergency services, and major tourist hubs. However, the scale of the blackout has made it a complex task, with some regions still awaiting full power restoration. PLN’s efforts are critical to minimizing the long-term impact on Bali’s economy and reputation as a top travel destination.