Closing The National Command Post, BPH Migas Says Fuel Consumption Soars 40 Percent During The Eid Season

JAKARTA - The government has officially closed the National Command Post for the Energy and Mineral Resources Sector (ESDM) in order to secure Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri. This post has been taking place from April 10, 2023 to May 2, 2023.

Head of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) Erika Retnowati as the coordinator of the Command Post noted, during the 2023 Eid Al-Fitr Command Post there was a fuel consumption surge.

"The highest national fuel distribution is on the homecoming flow on April 20, 2023 with an increase in gasoline by 40.78 percent nationally from normal distribution," he said in a press conference in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 2.

Erika continued, for the first backflow period, there was an increase in gasoline demand by 17.71 percent on April 25 and on the second backflow on April 29 there was an increase in gasoline by 12.95 percent.

"There are several areas, especially Central Java, where the highest distribution occurs for fuel because that is where it seems that the homecoming area, both for the travelers in Central Java and as a transit area to East Java," explained Erika.

The city with the highest distribution of Gasoline is Brebes City with an increase in distribution reaching 222.9 percent on April 20. Meanwhile, for other cities with an average increase in demand of around 170 to 200 percent, Mojokerto, Pekalongan, Cirebon, Batang, Malang, Tegal, Semarang, Wonogiri.

"The concentration is in Central Java for gasoline," added Erika.

As for the distribution of gasoil or diesel, BPH Migas noted that there was a decrease in demand during the holiday post period, which was around 22 percent.

He explained that this decline was caused by the large number of industries that did not operate during this period and the prohibition on heavy vehicles from passing.

"Many holidays in the industry and heavy vehicles are not allowed during homecoming or backflow," said Erika.

Meanwhile, the highest LPG distribution occurred on April 19 with a volume of 31,034 metric tons (MT) per day, an increase of 12.4 percent compared to normal distribution.

"Elpiji agents are also on standby 24 hours, especially in areas with high demand," concluded Erika.