TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia said the government is developing compressed natural gas (CNG) in 3-kilogram containers as an alternative to 3-kilogram liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Bahlil said the use of CNG has been implemented in several hotels, restaurants, and some kitchens under the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, with raw materials sourced domestically. The government is now preparing to expand its use for household needs. “The 3-kilogram version is still being developed. And the cost is 30–40 percent cheaper,” he said during an event of the Bogor Agricultural University Alumni Association in Jakarta on Saturday, May 2, 2026, as reported by Antara.
Despite this, Bahlil acknowledged that the development of CNG still faces several challenges. However, he emphasized that the government remains committed to promoting CNG to improve energy efficiency and strengthen national energy independence.
CNG, or compressed natural gas, is a gas fuel produced by compressing natural gas, mainly consisting of methane (C1) and ethane (C2). The gas is stored and distributed using high-pressure cylinders at around 200–250 bar (approximately 2,900 to 3,600 psi).
The CNG cylinders are designed to withstand high pressure, ensuring safety in storage and distribution processes.
The Ministry of ESDM recorded that national LPG consumption reaches 8.6 million tons per year. Of this amount, only 1.6–1.7 million tons are produced domestically, while the rest is imported.
The ministry believes that CNG development could be one solution to strengthen national energy resilience amid global energy crisis dynamics, alongside efforts to optimize oil and gas lifting, diversify fuel such as through B50 implementation, and reduce dependence on LPG.
Read: Bahlil: Indonesia to Explore CNG Production to Cut LPG Imports
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Bahlil: Indonesia to Explore CNG Production to Cut LPG Imports
4 hari lalu
The Indonesian government is discussing ways to reduce the dependency on imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) which amounts to about 7 million tons per year.
