BPH Migas promotes CNG as household energy alternative

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Badan Pengatur Hilir Minyak dan Gas Bumi (BPH Migas) is promoting the optimisation of compressed natural gas (CNG) utilisation and the acceleration of mini-liquefied natural gas (LNG) development as household energy alternatives.

BPH Migas Committee Member Fathul Nugroho stated in Jakarta on Saturday that this step would strengthen national energy resilience while reducing dependence on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports.

According to him, optimising CNG mother stations and building mini-LNG infrastructure will provide more energy options for the public beyond LPG.

“So, it’s not limited to LPG alone, but there are choices to use CNG and LNG. These energy options can also enhance the effectiveness of gas distribution and support the government’s targets in converting to safer, cleaner, and more efficient energy,” Fathul said while speaking at the “11th LNG Supply, Transport, & Storage Forum 2026” event, held alongside the “3rd Small LNG Shipping & Distribution Forum” in Bali on Wednesday (6/5).

Furthermore, Fathul noted that current household energy needs are still dominated by subsidised LPG, which burdens the state budget and drives high import dependence.

Currently, Indonesia’s LPG imports have reached 81% of total public needs.

The development of CNG and LNG for households also aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita, particularly in promoting national energy self-sufficiency.

“In addition, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia has stated that CNG is a gas different from LPG but serves a similar function as an energy source. Currently, CNG utilisation has begun in the commercial sector, such as hotels and restaurants,” he said.

In the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029, the government targets building a natural gas network for households to reach 350,000 household connections (SR) by 2029.

To meet this target, BPH Migas believes regulatory acceleration is needed for CNG mother stations and mini-LNG terminals to allow investments to enter more quickly.

Additionally, the government and business entity cooperation (KPBU) financing model is considered important to support infrastructure development, especially in eastern Indonesia, which faces geographical challenges.

“To expand the reach of jargas (natural gas network) using CNG, this can be done by converting compressed natural gas fuel filling stations (SPBG) into mother stations. Meanwhile, for non-pipeline jargas distribution, mini-LNG can be used,” he said.

“Thus, the abundant natural gas potential can soon be felt for the benefit of realising national energy independence,” he added.