The Government Sets A Target To No Longer Import Fuel And LPG Starting In 2030

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government is targeting not to import fuel oil (BBM) and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) by 2030. This target is already included in the National Energy Strategy. Currently, Indonesia is still an importer of raw materials for BBM and LPG.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif said the government plans to stop importing fuel and LPG within 9 years from now. This is based on the results of the National Energy Council (DEN) Plenary Meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) today.

"Indeed, in this National Energy Strategy we plan that in 2030 we will no longer import BBM and try not to import LPG either", he said in a virtual press conference after a meeting at the State Secretariat YouTube, Tuesday, April 20.

Also, said Arifin, the meeting discussed plans to reduce emissions that were driven globally. Indonesia needs to encourage the use of new and renewable energy (EBT) as the national energy mix. One of them is by increasing the use of Solar Power Plants (PLTS), which are now getting cheaper.

"Our use of new and renewable energy is only 10.5 gigawatts and is expected to increase in 2025 according to the 23 percent target, to 24 thousand megawatts. In 2035 we are trying to increase this mix to reach 38 thousand megawatts. solar power plants which are increasingly economical in their development from day to day", he said.

Arifin said the National Energy Council has also formulated several programs for the downstream of coal products. Besides, the government must immediately complete energy infrastructure related to gas and electricity.

"What is very important because we want to achieve the target of 100 percent electrification. So that with 100 percent electrification, it is hoped that all people and all regions will receive electricity supply", he said.

Not only that said Arifin, the One Price BBM program that is run by PT Pertamina (Persero) will also continue. According to him, the goal is that the Indonesian people can enjoy fuel at the same price and generate a populist economy in the area.

On the other hand, President Jokowi hopes that the National Energy Council can see the momentum and take the opportunity during this pandemic to enter into a green economy or environmentally based development.

"Currently, all developed countries are already moving towards a green economy, and we can also reduce the risk of environmental damage", he explained.

Also, President Jokowi requested that the strategy formulated by DEN be of a visceral nature and that its implementation must be consistent. He also asked for adjustments to the General Plan for National Energy (RUEN).

"Weak RUEN based on points that have been presented in the National Energy Strategy that we have compiled are being considered again so that they can be implemented systemically", he said.