R

esidents and businesses in greater Jakarta have complained about a recent spate of blackouts - introduced by the state power company PT PLN while it repairs several damaged substations - which have caused disruptions to the public in various places around the city.

Many offices and public places including shopping malls have been forced to use generators to provide electricity since a fire gutted PLN's substations in Cawang Baru, East Jakarta and Kembangan, West Jakarta.

Andreas Kartawinata, the chairman of the Association of Shopping Center Managers of Indonesia (APPBI) on Thursday said he was disappointed with PLN.

"The private sector has paid such a high price *for its electricity*, but now has to pay extra because of PLN's poor maintenance *which caused the fire*," said Andreas, who is also the director of Lippo Karawaci property company. Private companies in Indonesia pay non-subsidized electricity rates.

Several shopping malls under Lippo's management were affected by the blackouts, Andreas said.

"My company must now use generators and that costs a lot. Even though malls use generators, they cannot operate to full capacity," he said.

Yuni Loviani, a resident of Cipinang Muara, East Jakarta, was also upset about the blackouts. The electricity in her house went off for several hours in the first two days after the fire.

"Because of the blackouts the tap water runs very slowly," Yuni said.

Yuni said she was luckier than several of her friends who had to cope with blackouts at night. "At least, the blackouts in my house happened during the day," she said.

In greater Jakarta, where many residents use electronic water pumps, electricity blackouts can also create difficulties in getting clean water.

PLN was doing its best to stop the blackouts, PLN greater Jakarta general manager Purnomo Willy said Wednesday.

"PLN has bought 100 Megawatts of electricity from PT Cikarang Listrikindo electricity company and has also tried to get more power from other electricity substations," Purnomo said.

Substations in Tanjung Priok and Muara Karang, North Jakarta, were expected to provide supplementary power, he said.

"The substation in Tanjung Priok was previously being repaired, but now it is operational. PLN is also trying to upgrade the capacity of the Muara Karang substation," Purnomo said.

Purnomo said the damaged Cawang Baru and Kembangan substations may be operational by January next year.

"PLN is still waiting for the imported components needed for the repairs," he said.

Purnomo said PLN had been successful in reducing the frequency of the blackouts.