ESDM Affirms CNG Will Not Immediately Replace 3 kg LPG

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has assured that compressed natural gas (CNG) will not immediately replace 3 kilogram (kg) liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for household use.

The Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of ESDM, Laode Sulaeman, stated that the use of CNG at the household level will be carried out gradually. It is hoped that a 3 kg CNG cylinder can serve as an alternative to gas.

“Actually, alternative and replacement mean the same thing. But if we say replacement, it’s massive and large-scale; if alternative, there are stages. The correct approach is that we have stages,” he said at the Ministry of ESDM in Jakarta on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

The implementation is targeted for this year on a gradual basis, starting from major cities on Java island.

“We are just about to start, just about to do the pilot project. So all those stages require time,” Laode said.

He added that the government is currently developing a 3 kg CNG cylinder to ensure its safety for household use.

In this regard, the development is being carried out by the Ministry of ESDM together with the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Manpower, and the National Standardisation Agency (BSN).

“We are now analysing various aspects. One important aspect is safety. This is not only from the Ministry of ESDM, but also from the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Manpower, and BSN which issues the standards. We are consolidating all of this,” he explained.

The government targets that within the next three months, the cylinder will be available so that production in larger quantities can begin soon.

“That’s what is being pursued; the Minister (of ESDM) said that within three months, there will be a type 4 for 3 kg, and from there we can start producing in larger quantities,” he revealed when met at Epiwalk, Jakarta, on Tuesday (5/5/2026).