Minister Bahlil: 3 kg CNG Cylinder Testing Enters Final Stage

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has stated that testing of the 3 kg Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinder, intended as an alternative to 3 kg LPG cylinders, has entered its final stage. “I received a presentation on the results of the 3 kg cylinder and its valve just three days ago. Lemigas is now conducting the final test,” Bahlil said when met at the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta on Monday. According to Bahlil, based on the information he received, the 3 kg CNG cylinder only requires a fire resistance test at 850 degrees Celsius. He noted that this fire test will be conducted both in China and Indonesia. “Both will be carried out (in China and Indonesia). So, we will also conduct the firing test,” Bahlil said. He expressed hope that by August, the government could introduce the 3 kg CNG cylinder to the public. “Let us pray for it, yes. The best for our beloved motherland,” Bahlil remarked. CNG is not a new technology, as it has been used in the hotel, restaurant, and café (horeka) sector, as well as in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. However, its utilisation has so far been limited to large-capacity cylinders of over 10 to 20 kilogrammes. According to Bahlil, the main challenge in the trial is technical, because CNG pressure is around 200 to 250 bar, much higher compared to LPG pressure, which ranges from 5 to 10 bar. He said the government continues to study CNG as an alternative to replace 3 kg LPG cylinders in order to reduce dependence on energy imports, hence the trials must continue. Bahlil noted that CNG has the advantage of having all its raw materials available domestically, including abundant natural gas sources. In addition, the government has discovered new gas reserves in East Kalimantan that could potentially be allocated for domestic needs.