National Fuel Reserves Safe, President Prabowo Orders Construction of New Storage Facilities

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, confirmed that Indonesia’s national energy reserves are currently in a safe status and have exceeded the minimum threshold. However, to strengthen long-term energy resilience, President Prabowo Subianto personally instructed the construction of new storage facilities. This assurance was conveyed by Bahlil after attending a limited meeting with President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (4 March 2026). According to him, this step is taken to ensure supply stability amid global dynamics, namely the Middle East conflict. Bahlil explained that so far, Indonesia’s fuel reserve storage capacity has been constrained by infrastructure, with a maximum capacity of around 25 days. However, the current management has kept stocks at an optimal level. ‘I’ve said that our fuel stockpiling capacity has long been capped at 25 days. Therefore our national reserves are at a minimum of 20 to 23 days. Now our fuel stockpiles are 23 days. So they are above the national reserve minimum as is customary,’ Bahlil told reporters. The infrastructure constraint for storage is a crucial point highlighted by the government. Bahlil stressed that without additional storage, Indonesia would struggle to increase energy resilience to the target of three months. ‘So we cannot say we have 60 days of stock without storage. That is why now the President’s directive is to immediately build storage. So it’s not that we do not have reserves to fill the oil, but now we need to put it somewhere,’ he added. Regarding the location of construction, the government has identified several strategic options. Bahlil mentioned that one of the most potential regions for this project is Sumatra. The construction of storage facilities is targeted to progressively raise national energy resilience to 90 days (three months). On potential supply disruptions due to global conflicts, Bahlil assured that to date Indonesia’s energy distribution lines remain controlled. The government has prepared mitigation steps through diversification of import sources. For gasoline, Indonesia currently relies more on supplies from Southeast Asia than the Middle East, reducing the risk of shipping route disruptions in conflict areas. ‘For the next one to two months, God willing, we will still be clear. As for the petroleum fuel we import, we mainly buy gasoline, and we purchase it in Southeast Asia, not in the Middle East. So, relatively safe,’ he concluded. This step to reinforce energy reserves is also government guarantees to the public ahead of the Ramadan month and Idul Fitri 1447 H, when national energy consumption typically rises significantly. (H-3) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government plans to increase the capacity of national fuel storage from around 25-26 days to 90 days, or three months. PT Pertamina (Persero) has expressed full readiness to guard the journey of Indonesians in welcoming Idul Fitri 1447 H. A member of the House of Representatives Commission I from the NasDem faction, Amelia Anggraini, expressed deep concern about the escalation of attacks between the United States, Israel and Iran. In Banjaratma Rest Area SPBU there are many vehicles filling Pertamax Green. Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Western Java held a socialisation for the Nataru Task Force Bandung region at SPBU 31.401.01 COCO Dago, Bandung.