Indonesia secures coal supplies amid hopes of end to export ban | Al Jazeera

Indonesia’s state utility secured an extra 7.5 million tonnes of coal supplies on Tuesday, helping to avert power outages, boost stocks and increase the chances of the government lifting its export ban soon.

The island country, the world’s top exporter of the coal used in power plants and China’s largest overseas supplier, on Saturday announced a ban on exports during January to avoid outages at domestic generators.

The move has driven up coal prices in China, though Indonesian authorities are set to reexamine the ban on Wednesday.

State utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) said that while it had secured the additional supply, it aimed to continue to raise stockpiles to a minimum usage level of 20 days.

“Coal power plants that have been in crisis are starting to see their supply issue being resolved,” Darmawan Prasodjo, PLN chief executive, said in a statement.