The lights are out once again for PLN, and the state electricity company is in the dark. On January 1, 2001, the firm signed a Phase I Agreement on electricity purchase rates with private electricity provider Paiton Energy Corporation. This is the first stage in an attempt to formulate a permanent agreement.

The seven-page agreement states: "As no long-term agreement has been reached, both sides have agreed to the Phase I Agreement (PIA). During