Bali, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, has been plunged into darkness after a mass island-wide blackout struck at around 4pm local time on Friday (May 2).
The power outage has impacted thousands of homes, businesses, hotels, and resorts across the island, leaving both locals and tourists sweltering in the tropical heat without air conditioning or electricity. Authorities have warned it could take up to 36 hours to restore full power.
Submarine Cable Disruption Blamed for Bali Blackout
According to PT PLN, Indonesia’s state electricity provider, the outage is linked to a disruption of the submarine cables that supply around 25% of Bali’s electricity from Java. The company said in a statement that “the problem is still being investigated” and efforts are underway to stabilize the system.
As a safety measure, all power plants across Bali were temporarily disconnected, compounding the impact of the blackout.
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Traffic Chaos and Resort Closures
The blackout immediately triggered massive traffic jams as local police rushed to manually manage intersections across Denpasar and other busy areas. Some resorts in Kuta began letting tourists in for free as they struggled to keep operations running without electricity.
Backup generators are keeping some critical facilities operational, including Denpasar Airport, where no flight delays have yet been reported.
When Will Power Return to Bali?
Social media exploded with questions and concerns about how long the outage would last. Experts suggested a best-case scenario of 12 to 36 hours for full restoration, depending on how quickly the system can be stabilized and prioritized zones like tourist hubs are reconnected.
This blackout is being compared to Indonesia’s last major outage in 2005, which left more than 100 million people without power across the country.
Safety Advice for Visitors
Tourists currently in Bali are advised to:
- Stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the heat.
- Use battery-powered lights or torches instead of candles.
- Keep mobile devices charged using power banks if possible.
- Monitor local news updates and advice from authorities.
Authorities are urging patience as restoration work continues, assuring residents and visitors that emergency services remain operational.
