Natural Gas Presents a Sustainable Solution for Achieving Energy Self-Sufficiency
Jakarta — Natural gas is increasingly demonstrating its role as a strategic energy source in supporting the transition towards national energy self-sufficiency. The government, along with PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN) and the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the use of this clean energy, in line with the 2060 Net Zero Emission (NZE) target and the national priorities of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s Asta Cita (Government Priority Program).
PGN’s Director of Infrastructure and Technology, Hery Murahmanta, emphasized that natural gas is the backbone of the national energy transition. In addition to playing a crucial role in controlling air pollution, the use of natural gas, particularly the household gas network (jargas), is believed to provide a sustainable solution to reduce energy imports.
“We hope that natural gas can be an alternative to reducing LPG imports, in line with the President’s directive, Asta Cita, to achieve energy self-sufficiency. We, as implementers in the field, will continue to strive to optimize infrastructure development to increase the use of natural gas across all levels of society,” said Hery.
As concrete evidence, PGN has built more than 15,000 gas networks funded by the state budget and more than 69,000 independent gas networks in Banten Province. These networks are spread across Cilegon City, Serang Regency, Tangerang Regency, Tangerang City, and South Tangerang City. PGN is committed to continuing to expand public access to this clean energy, although it requires government support for optimal development.
“Government support is essential for accelerating gas network expansion, both through accelerating permits, providing economic incentives for gas network development, and providing public outreach,” added Hery.
Similarly, the Head of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), Erika Retnowati, emphasized that natural gas plays a strategic role as a pillar towards national energy self-sufficiency. According to her, the use of natural gas is not only a more environmentally friendly transitional energy source but also supports national economic growth.
“In addition to being a cleaner transitional energy source, natural gas also supports economic growth,” Erika said in a statement in Jakarta.
Erika added that the use of natural gas aligns with the second national priority of Asta Cita (Association of State-Owned Enterprises), which emphasizes national independence through self-sufficiency in energy, food, and water, a green economy, a blue economy, and a creative economy.
“Natural gas not only serves as a cleaner transitional energy source, but also serves as a key pillar of the national economy, supporting the industrial, electricity, and household sectors, ensuring its benefits are widely felt by the community,” Erika emphasized.
Meanwhile, PGN’s Commercial Director, Aldiansyah Idham, highlighted the company’s progress through the construction of the Medan CNG Mother Station (MS), which is being undertaken by PT Gagas Energi Indonesia (PGN Gagas). This project not only expands the natural gas market but also strengthens national energy security while encouraging sustainable regional economic growth.
“The construction of the Medan MS demonstrates Subholding Gas’s commitment to supporting the 2060 Net Zero Emission target by providing affordable and widely accessible clean energy to the public, while also supporting the government’s program to reduce subsidies, as the natural gas supply is 100 percent domestic,” Aldiansyah explained.
