Prabowo orders Bahlil to build new storage to ensure three months' BBM stock

Jakarta — Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said Indonesia’s national fuel stock is currently secure and even exceeds the minimum reserve standard. According to Bahlil, Indonesia’s BBM storage capacity has historically been limited to around 25 days at most. Nevertheless, the national BBM reserves remain within a safe range.

He said this after taking part in a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

‘I’ve said that our BBM storage capacity has long been capped at 25 days,’ he said. ‘Therefore our national reserves are at least 20 to 23 days. Now our BBM stands at 23 days. So it is already above the minimum reserve standard, as is customary.’

He noted that storage capacity limitations are among the challenges that must be addressed quickly. Therefore, President Prabowo gave instructions for the government to immediately build new storage facilities to strengthen national energy reserves.

‘We can’t say, as colleagues, that we must stock 60 days. Where would we fill it? We have no storage. That’s why now the President’s instruction is to immediately build storage. It’s not that we have no reserves to fill oil. But now where to put it?’

Moreover, Bahlil stressed that building these storage facilities is an important step to raise national energy reserves to three months.

Regarding the planned storage facility, the government is preparing several alternative locations. ‘One of the best alternatives is in Sumatra.’

Bahlil also mentioned the potential impact of global conflicts on energy supplies. He confirmed that so far national energy supply remains safe. ‘If the conflict lasts longer, it will surely have an impact. That is certain. Up to the next 1-2 months, God willing, we should still be clear. God willing, there will be no problems.’