Government's Plan to Distribute Electric Stoves Resurfaces

The government’s plan to distribute electric stoves has resurfaced. The plan had previously emerged some time ago but was cancelled. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has proposed the electric stove distribution programme for next year. Bahlil proposed a budget of Rp 815.56 billion for the programme. Bahlil stated the programme aims to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on LPG imports, which remains very high. According to him, around 80% of national LPG needs are still met through imports, forcing the state to spend over Rp 130 trillion per year in foreign exchange. “At current ICP levels, our foreign exchange spent on purchasing LPG is above Rp 130 trillion. The subsidy is above Rp 80 trillion. If we continue to let this condition persist without seeking energy diversification, it will become a problem. Therefore, one alternative is to promote electric stoves,” Bahlil said at the DPR in Jakarta, Monday (15/6/2026), as quoted by detikFinance. Bahlil said that in the initial phase of the electric stove programme, the government is currently studying the use of electric stove technology compatible with household electricity capacity below 900 VA. “So that our people in sub-districts and villages can use them with their existing electricity capacity,” he said. “There is a new model of electric stove. Indeed, technology has improved significantly compared to the old electric stove technology. We are currently also assessing how significant the positive differences are between the old electric stoves and the new ones,” Bahlil explained. When asked about the number of electric stove units to be distributed with the budget of Rp 815.56 billion, Bahlil could not yet confirm the figure. He said the quantity would likely be determined by August. “Wait for our budget discussions with the DPR; perhaps by August the number of units can be announced,” said the General Chairman of the Golongan Karya (Golkar) Party. For context, the electric stove distribution programme had previously surfaced but was ultimately cancelled. At that time, the plan was to distribute 300,000 units. “The 300,000 (electric stoves) did not go ahead,” said PT PLN (Persero) Distribution Director Adi Priyanto at the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises in Central Jakarta back on 29 September 2022.