Government to Import CNG Cylinders as Alternative to 3kg LPG
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has announced that Indonesia will import 3kg Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders. This plan is part of the government’s strategy to introduce an alternative to 3kg LPG.
“The technology involved is highly advanced. Currently, the capability to produce this technology exists abroad; we do not yet have it domestically,” stated the Director General of Oil and Gas, Laode Sulaeman, as reported by Antara on Monday, 18 May 2026.
Regarding the potential source of these cylinders, Laode noted that Indonesia is currently inclined to import from China. “There are many countries, but so far, we are looking at China,” Laode said.
He further explained that the importation of CNG cylinders is intended only for the initial phase of implementation, targeting households. Once the use of CNG for households reaches a massive scale, Indonesia aims to produce CNG cylinders domestically. “Yes, that is the plan. It is for the initial stage,” added Laode.
The government is currently preparing the implementation stages of CNG as an alternative to 3kg LPG to meet household gas requirements. Laode aims for CNG to begin replacing 3kg LPG starting this year to reduce dependence on energy imports.
This plan was previously outlined by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia. He noted that the use of compressed natural gas is not a new technology, as it is already utilised in the hotel and restaurant sectors, as well as in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. However, its use has thus far been limited to large-capacity cylinders exceeding 10-20 kilograms.
He assessed that if trial results are deemed feasible, the government will open opportunities for a gradual conversion from LPG to CNG for household needs. According to Bahlil, CNG offers a significant advantage because all raw materials are available domestically, including abundant natural gas sources. Furthermore, the government has discovered new gas reserves in East Kalimantan that have the potential to be allocated for domestic requirements.