KAI Coal Transportation Safeguards National Energy Supply, Supporting Community Activities Ahead of Eid Holiday
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded strong coal transport performance at the beginning of 2026. From January through February 2026, KAI transported 6,427,465 tons of coal. This volume plays a vital role in the national energy supply chain, particularly in supporting power plant operations that supply electricity to communities across Java and Bali.
Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, Anne Purba, explained that coal distribution via rail plays a strategic role in maintaining the continuity of the energy supply, especially for power plants supplying households, healthcare services, education, and economic activities. The electrical energy generated from coal is used to power essential facilities such as hospitals, medical equipment, data centers, schools, and industrial and commercial activities that sustain daily public life.
A primary service in coal distribution is the Kereta Api Batu Bara Rangkaian Panjang (Babaranjang) or Baratarahan long-haul coal train, operating from Regional Sub-Division III Palembang to Regional Sub-Division IV Tanjungkarang, Lampung. Designed to haul bulk volumes, it features long trainsets of up to 61 wagons pulled by CC205 locomotives. Under this configuration, Babaranjang stands as one of the longest freight trainsets in Indonesia and serves as the backbone of coal distribution from mining areas in Sumatra to ports and energy distribution centers.
This coal distribution role is closely tied to the energy needs of communities in Java and Bali. Based on Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) 2025 projections, the population of Java and Bali reaches approximately 162 million people, accounting for more than half of Indonesia's total population. This region serves as the hub of national economic activity, demanding high electrical energy capacity to support daily community operations.
"In daily life, electricity is an indispensable part of public activity. The lights illuminating homes at night, medical equipment sustaining healthcare services, transport systems, digital communication networks, and learning activities at schools and campuses all rely on a secure energy supply," Anne explained.
This momentum becomes increasingly relevant ahead of the Eid Transport period, when public mobility rises and economic activities expand dynamically. A stable electrical supply supports the operations of various public services, including transportation, health facilities, shopping centers, and the tourism sector, which typically experience heightened activity during the Eid holiday period.
Anne added that coal transportation via rail offers key advantages, including massive haul capacity, logistics efficiency, and travel time reliability. Rail-based transport systems enable consistent, large-volume energy distribution, supporting power plants on a sustainable basis.
Looking ahead, KAI continues to prepare for freight transport capacity expansion to reinforce national energy logistics resilience. KAI targets a 15 percent growth in freight transport volume by 2029, projecting 111.2 million tons of coal and 10.9 million tons of non-coal commodities.
Logistics infrastructure development is also underway to boost distribution capacity. The Tarahan II Terminal in South Sumatra is projected to add up to 18 million tons of coal transport capacity, while the expansion of the Kertapati facility is expected to add around 7 million tons. These enhancements aim to further smooth energy distribution from production centers to consumption hubs.
"Coal distribution via rail plays an essential role in safeguarding national energy supplies. When electricity stays on, hospitals function, educational activities continue, industries move, and communities can carry out their daily routines with greater peace of mind. Through freight transport enhancements, KAI continues to support smooth energy distribution, forming a vital part of public life," Anne concluded.
VP Corporate Communication KAI