Inaugurating Benoa LNG Terminal, Erick Thohir: Strengthening Bali's Energy And Tourism Security

Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of SOEs)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir inaugurated the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal at the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub (BMTH), Benoa Harbor, Bali. Erick positively welcomes the terminal arrangement and operation project because it can support the government in fulfilling clean energy in the country.

Erick also encouraged the BMTH LNG project to build a strong ecosystem in making Indonesia an independent and sovereign country.

"The relocation and upgrading of the LNG Terminal is our effort to realize national energy security, especially in meeting electricity needs in eastern Indonesia and also tourism resilience," said Erick when inaugurating the BMTH LNG Terminal infrastructure arrangement procession, Benoa Harbor in Bali, Tuesday, March 29. yesterday.

For your information, the facilities and facilities of the LNG Terminal itself are located on land owned by PT Pelindo (Persero) at Benoa Harbor. As one of the National Strategic Projects, Pelindo continues to organize Benoa Harbor as a Bali Maritime Tourism Hub (BMTH) in accordance with the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Regulation Number 7 of 2021 concerning Changes to the List of National Strategic Projects.

The arrangement in question is by relocating the LNG Terminal which was previously on the south side of Benoa Port to the north side of the BMTH at Benoa Harbor, while the previous LNG terminal location will be used as a Passenger Terminal Zone (Terminal 3 Cruise).

Increase the positive trend of Bali tourism

According to Erick, the arrangement and operation of the BMTH LNG Terminal is also a concrete effort in maintaining and increasing the positive trend of the tourism sector on the Island of the Gods. As an archipelagic country, continued Erick, Indonesia does not only rely on tourism access by air and land, but also access by sea. Therefore, BUMN through Pelindo will reorganize the Benoa Port. So that it can be berthed four to five cruise ships.

"Bali is a national tourism center and SOEs will be a part of increasing Bali's competitiveness level and ensuring the economy in Bali grows again," said Erick.

In addition, Erick said that as a form of taking sides with local products, the Benoa area will certainly be filled with MSMEs and local brands, as well as increasing premium tourist facilities by building a shipyard for yachts.

Furthermore, Erick believes that the arrangement of the BMTH LNG Terminal will contribute greatly to MSME actors and create new job opportunities that will improve the welfare of the community.

"To support the development of tourism, MSMEs and employment, electricity is needed. That's why we build energy facilities here because Bali still needs electricity, especially green energy," he said.

According to Erick, this is also in accordance with the government's program which has decided that in 2030 Bali will use green energy. Therefore, continued Erick, SOEs will continue to develop not only Bali, but also other areas.

"I hope SOEs will continue to contribute to developing Indonesia," he said.