Bahlil: Pertalite Stocks Fall as Consumers Switch from Non-Subsidised Fuel

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia said Pertalite stocks had fallen from more than 20 days’ supply to 16–18 days because some consumers had switched from non-subsidised to subsidised fuel.

“Nationally, our fuel stocks are at 16–18 days. The shift affecting that 16–18-day figure is in RON 90 (Pertalite),” Bahlil said when met at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry office in Jakarta on Friday.

Bahlil explained that Pertalite stocks had declined as consumers who previously used non-subsidised fuel such as Pertamax moved to Pertalite. The shift was driven by the price difference between Pertalite and Pertamax.

Bahlil, who also serves as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, said the blending process to produce Pertalite was under way at refineries.

He estimated it would take about a week to restore Pertalite stocks to around 20 days’ supply.

“We may need a week to reach 20 days. It will be done in a week. But 16–18 days does not mean that we are below the minimum standard,” Bahlil said.

For other fuel grades, including Biosolar, Pertamax (RON 92), Pertamax Green (RON 95) and Pertamax Turbo (RON 98), Bahlil said there were no issues.

“There is no problem with Biosolar, RON 92, RON 95 or RON 98. The shift is in RON 90,” he said.

At the end of August 2026, the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) recorded a 12.92 per cent increase in Pertalite consumption in July 2026, one month after the price of non-subsidised Pertamax was raised.

BPH Migas head Wahyudi Anas said average Pertalite distribution before the Pertamax price increase was 75,795 kilolitres (kl) per day. After Pertamax rose from Rp12,300 to Rp16,250 per litre on 10 June 2026, average Pertalite distribution surged.

On 10 June 2026, Pertalite consumption stood at 82,760 kl per day, up 9.19 per cent, or 6,965 kl per day, compared with the average distribution before the Pertamax price increase.

In July 2026, Pertalite consumption rose again to 85,589 kl per day, an increase of 12.92 per cent, or 9,794 kl per day, compared with the pre-increase average.

Wahyudi said Pertalite consumption declined in August compared with July. Average daily distribution that month was around 84,368 kl, below the July figure.

Nevertheless, average Pertalite consumption in August remained higher than before the Pertamax price increase.