ESDM says electric stove programme still in trial phase

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has said the electric stove programme is currently still in the trial phase.

“This is only being tested now. Only being tested. We have just tested (the electric stoves) at the Grand Standardisation and Service Agency (BBSP). So we are working together with the PLN team, along with universities such as UGM and ITB,” said Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation at the Ministry of ESDM, in Jakarta on Monday.

Eniya further said there is already collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) to conduct trials on various types of electric stoves and the efficiency they produce.

“So we are carrying out those tests now. The differences between various electric stoves, and then what their efficiency is,” she said.

“Based on that, we will then calculate monthly consumption, and roughly what the price would be. Then we will first discuss the concept with the Minister (of ESDM, Bahlil Lahadalia),” she added.

Previously, Minister of ESDM Bahlil said on Monday (15/6) that his ministry was preparing electric stoves with a power rating below 900 kilovolt amperes (kVA) for households, as part of the move to convert from LPG stoves to electric stoves.

He also proposed a budget of Rp815.56 billion in the 2027 Draft State Budget (RAPBN) for the electric stove programme, aimed at reducing dependence on LPG imports.

The idea of transitioning from LPG stoves to electric stoves had previously emerged during the presidency of Joko Widodo.

However, in September 2022, PT PLN (Persero) cancelled the programme to switch 3-kilogram LPG stoves to electric stoves in order to maintain public comfort during the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

Then, when energy prices surged following the outbreak of war between the United States (US)-Israel and Iran, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Eddy Soeparno again urged the government to carry out the transition from gas stoves to electric stoves.

Eddy said the transition from gas to electric stoves would cost less compared to the funds spent on import subsidies for LPG.

He highlighted the switch from LPG to electric stoves, noting that LPG prices are also influenced by increasingly soaring world oil prices.