Prabowo orders search for alternative energy, accelerates LPG transition
President Prabowo Subianto has instructed Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to immediately seek alternative energy sources to strengthen national energy resilience, including accelerating the transition from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to compressed natural gas (CNG).
Speaking after a limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday evening (11/6), Bahlil said the push to switch to alternative energy sources takes into account ongoing global geopolitical developments. “We held a meeting to discuss the energy sector and downstreaming. Coincidentally, we are observing geopolitical developments that remain unresolved. The President ordered us to immediately seek alternative energies,” he told a press conference.
He highlighted the focus on accelerating the transition, stating, “What we are currently focusing on is accelerating the shift from LPG to CNG.”
Regarding fuel, he confirmed the government has ensured there will be no changes to the prices of subsidised fuels or subsidised LPG. The policy aims to preserve public purchasing power amid global economic challenges. “We conveyed that the prices of subsidised fuel and LPG will not change at all. That is the first point. Meanwhile, non-subsidised prices will adjust to prevailing market prices,” he said in response to reporters’ questions.
When asked about the current spike in non-subsidised fuel prices, Bahlil explained the government’s immediate focus is on maintaining subsidised fuel prices and protecting the purchasing power of lower-income groups who are the beneficiaries of subsidies. “We are exercising all alternatives. The important thing is that we look after our brothers and sisters in the lower economic strata. These are the subsidised ones. Meanwhile, the non-subsidised consumers are our compatriots who have far better economic capacity than those who must be subsidised,” he said.
On the subject of PLN’s electricity supply, he conveyed that coal stocks, which are the mainstay of power generation, remain secure. “If it is said that coal is scarce, that is not true, because our assignment has reached 170 tonnes, and indeed there are some troubles with several machines as conveyed by PLN, and we will resolve them as soon as possible,” he stated.
Bahlil explained the government is working to ensure there are no further power outages that have recently occurred in some regions. “We are striving to ensure there are no more blackouts,” he said.