Bahlil Prepares 3 Kg CNG Cylinders as an Alternative to LPG

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, is preparing an alternative energy source to replace Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) through Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

As an alternative, CNG is already used for industrial gas needs such as hotels, restaurants, and even the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme with cylinder sizes of 10 kilograms (kg) to 20 kg and above.

To support household gas usage, the Ministry of ESDM will introduce CNG in a smaller size of 3 kg.

“The 3 kg one is still undergoing trials because the pressure is very high, around 200 to 250 bar. This is what we will try to modify,” explained Bahlil after a limited meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace, quoted on Wednesday (6/5/2026).

The trials are targeted to be completed in the next 2-3 months. “Once it is declared firm, we will carry out the conversion. Why? Because CNG’s raw materials are all available domestically. C1, C2 gas,” stated Bahlil.

Based on existing studies, Bahlil mentioned that using CNG will be cheaper than LPG, saving 30%. The reason is that CNG’s energy source comes from within the country and is not imported.

“It is available in almost all regions with gas sources, so it is far more efficient. And if asked whether it is already performing on the road or not, on a large scale it is already in use. In Java regions, CNG is already used. Hotels, restaurants, and MBG kitchens are already using it,” emphasised Bahlil.

To Be Subsidised?

Bahlil is also studying the possibility of subsidising the use of CNG. “Everything is being studied. The subsidy option must still be there, it’s just about the volume that we need to assess,” explained Bahlil.

As is known, Indonesia’s LPG needs are still supported by imports of 75% to 80%. Of which, 7 to 8 million tonnes are used for household needs.