PGN And BGN Cooperate In Provision Of Natural Gas Supply For Free Nutrition Eating Programs

Head of the National Nutrition Agency Dadan Hindayana and PGN President Director Arief Setiawan Handoko through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. (Photo: Doc. PGN)

JAKARTA - PT PGN Tbk and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) are collaborating in the context of distributing natural gas to support the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program.

This collaboration was inaugurated through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Head of the National Nutrition Agency Dadan Hindayana and the President Director of PGN Arief Setiawan Handoko which will take effect from December 2, 2024.

Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana explained that cooperation with PGN was carried out as part of the implementation of energy self-sufficiency as well as the Free Nutrition Eating program.

BGN estimates that there will be 30,000 Nutrition Service Units throughout Indonesia and natural gas is an important part of cooking in the kitchen of the Nutrition Service Unit.

This cooperation is very potential as part of the implementation of the MBG Program. We will jointly make the Nutritional Service Unit an entry point for the use of natural gas. Hopefully we can also encourage the maximum use of natural gas through the MBG program and reduce subsidies for LPG imports," Dadan said in a statement to the media, Wednesday, December 4.

Meanwhile, PGN President Director Arief Setiawan Handoko said PGN was committed to supporting collaboration between the Ministry of SOEs and BGN in the MBG program.

PGN's support will be carried out in accordance with PGN's capabilities in providing natural gas energy in Indonesia.

In collaboration with BGN, PGN will provide natural gas supply through gas pipelines and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), along with supporting infrastructure in various existing areas of PGN.

"We really appreciate being able to cooperate with BGN. PGN is given the opportunity to take part in the success of government programs. We will fully support natural gas as an energy source in the process of providing nutritious food by the Nutrition Service Unit. This PGN support is expected to provide clean energy services and increase the use of domestic energy, so that it can be in line with the goals of Asta Cita Pemerintah, especially self-sufficiency in energy," explained Arief.

Just so you know, the PGN operating area is currently spread across 17 provinces covering 73 regencies/cities in Indonesia that are integrated both pipeline and beyond pipeline.

Utilization of natural gas through beyond pipeline or CNG infrastructure allows to meet the energy needs of the Nutrition Service Unit, which is located far from the natural gas pipeline network.

Natural gas is an environmentally friendly energy when compared to other fossil energy.

So it will be a value more when natural gas is used in fulfilling Indonesian children's nutrition.

In addition, natural gas sourced from Indonesia will be used to meet Indonesia's energy needs.

Thus, it can support energy independence and together become an initiator in reducing the burden of energy subsidies.

PGN is committed to becoming a strategic partner of the government in the establishment of a nutrition service unit. Hopefully it can provide sustainable benefits, especially in order to prepare a generation with high competence towards the 2045 Indonesian Gold Vision and become an opportunity for PGN to make various efforts to maintain Indonesia's energy," said Arief.