ESDM Prepares New Technology Electric Stoves to Cut LPG Imports

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has revealed that his ministry is preparing an electric stove programme using new technology as part of efforts to reduce dependence on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Bahlil explained that Indonesia’s dependence on LPG remains very high. Currently, around 80% of national LPG needs are met through imports, burdening the country’s foreign exchange reserves and energy subsidy budget. “And our foreign exchange spent annually on LPG is at least Rp120 trillion, at current ICP levels, the foreign exchange spent to buy LPG is around over Rp130 trillion. The subsidy is over Rp80 trillion,” Bahlil said during a working meeting with Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Monday (15/6/2026). Bahlil assessed that this situation cannot be allowed to continue without a more efficient energy alternative. Therefore, the government is starting to promote the use of electric stoves as one solution to reduce LPG consumption. However, unlike the previous programme which faced public rejection, Bahlil emphasised that the electric stoves to be developed this time will use more modern technology and be adapted to community needs. “There is a new model of electric stove. So indeed, increasingly there is technology that is far better compared to the old electric stove technology. We are also currently structuring how significant the positive difference is between the old electric stove and the new one,” he said. As is known, the Ministry of ESDM has allocated a budget of Rp815.56 billion for the electric stove procurement programme in 2027. This policy is part of the government’s efforts to encourage energy diversification while reducing dependence on LPG, which has largely been met through imports. Bahlil conveyed that the budget falls under the ceiling of the Directorate General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) and has been listed in the Joint Indicative Ceiling Letter (SBPI). “Electric stoves, this is because we are reducing the need for LPG, we are looking for another energy mix. So our other energy is not only LPG, there are electric stoves, CNG, and others, that is Rp815.56 billion,” Bahlil said. Besides electric stoves, the Ministry of ESDM has also allocated a budget for the electric motorcycle programme amounting to Rp635.24 billion as part of the national energy transition.