Bali blackout: Cable fault causes power failure on Indonesian island

Bali blackout disrupts tourism and transport after Java-Bali undersea cable failure

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A widespread power outage hit the Indonesian island of Bali, disrupting key sectors including tourism, transport, and public services.

The blackout, which began at approximately 3:00 p.m. local time and lasted over two hours, was caused by a fault in the undersea power cable connecting Java and Bali, according to state utility PLN.

The failure triggered the shutdown of all local power plants, plunging much of the island into darkness. PLN stated that while electricity has been restored in most areas, recovery efforts are ongoing and some regions remain partially affected due to equipment damage.

Tourist-heavy southern Bali, especially Nusa Dua, was among the worst impacted. Hotels, restaurants, and shopping centres reported severe disruption.

Wayan Dedi Muliarta, a restaurant worker in Peninsula Nusa Dua, said service halted entirely during the outage. “We couldn’t operate without power — everything from cooking to payment systems stopped,” he told reporters.

Traffic chaos ensued in areas like Pecatu, where non-functioning traffic lights led to gridlock. Digital payment systems also failed, inconveniencing tourists reliant on cards and mobile wallets.

Locals and visitors voiced frustration over the lack of connectivity and halted services.

Several hotels experienced elevator failures, air conditioning losses, and mobile network disruptions. Ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek were also down, compounding transport woes for tourists.

Cultural events and evening performances were cancelled, leaving many travellers confused and disappointed.

While PLN has restored most of the supply, the utility has yet to announce a timeline for permanent repair of the undersea cable.