PLN Develops LNG Cluster to Back Gas Power Plants in Nusa Tenggara
PLN Develops LNG Cluster to Back Gas Power Plants in Nusa Tenggara
Reporter
September 15, 2026 | 04:59 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI) is developing the LNG Logistics Network Cluster in Nusa Tenggara to supply gas to power plants with a total capacity of 477 megawatts (MW) at five locations. The LNG-based midstream infrastructure network is expected to begin operating in early 2029.
Erma Melina Sarahwati, the Director of Gas and Fuel Oil at PLN EPI, stated that the network will extend to Lombok, Sumbawa, and Flores. She emphasized the necessity of developing infrastructure because several power plants are not connected to the gas pipeline network and continue to use fuel oil even though they are capable of using gas.
“In the case of Lombok, because there is no direct gas supply from upstream, we have to develop the midstream so that we can provide a gas source for the power plants in Lombok,” said Erma, as quoted from a written statement on Monday, September 14, 2026.
In the initial phase, Erma continued, the LNG pipeline network will serve PLTMG Lombok Peaker, PLTMG Lombok-2 Sambelia, power plants in Sumbawa, Flores, and Maumere. These five locations have an average total gas requirement of 39.8 BBTUD.
According to Erma, using gasification technology in power plants replaces fuel oil with gas, making the use of primary energy more efficient and reducing emissions. For LNG distribution, PLN EPI is preparing one LNG carrier with a capacity of 22 thousand CBM with a roundtrip time of around 10 days.
The ship will supply LNG to the five locations on an alternating basis. On the receiving end, PLTMG Lombok Peaker will be equipped with LNG tanks with a capacity of 8,000 cubic meters (m³) and regasification facilities of 32.07 MMSCFD.
Meanwhile, PLTMG Lombok-2 Sambelia will have a tank capacity of 5,000 m³ and regasification of 23.75 MMSCFD. The facilities in Sumbawa are planned to have a tank capacity of 7,500 m³ with regasification of 29.29 MMSCFD.
On the other hand, the Flores tank will have a capacity of 2,500 m³, and the regasification capacity will be 19.08 MMSCFD. The Maumere tank will have a capacity of 4,500 m³, and the regasification capacity will be 9.50 MMSCFD. According to Erma, the Nusa Tenggara Cluster consists of nine onshore gasification units and two LNG vessels.
Liquefied natural gas will be transported by ship from the supply source, stored, and regasified before being delivered to power plants. “If the midstream gas is available, in addition to saving fuel oil, it can also maintain the reliability of the electrical system in Lombok,” said Erma.
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