PGN Promotes Natural Gas As Transition Energy & Three Pillars Of Energy In Natural Gas Infrastructure Development At IKN

BALIKPAPAN - PT PGN Tbk as Pertamina Gas Subholding supports the government's strategic program in developing the capital city of Nusantara (IKN) in East Kalimantan and providing clean energy at IKN. PGN implements the balance of the Three Pillars (Trilema) of Energy in natural gas utilization at IKN where natural gas has a role as a transitional energy towards the Net Zero Emission target.

The Energy Trilema includes Energy Security (Secure&relable), Energy Equity (Affordable& Available), and Environmental Sustainability (Green&Clean). With the principle of Energy Security, PGN manages domestic energy supply that is widely distributed and effectively, and maintains the reliability of energy infrastructure to meet the needs of today and the future.

Energy Equity, PGN wants to create easy access and affordability of natural gas supply for the community. Then Environmental Sustainability, PGN creates the use of clean and environmentally friendly natural gas energy.

PGN's Director of Infrastructure and Technology, Achmad Muchtasyar, revealed at the 2023 World Environment Day Event Peak with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, that the development of natural gas infrastructure by PGN was carried out in stages to 5 (five) stages in the IKN development area, based on the population growth stages set by Bappenas. Development is aimed at fulfilling the energy of the commercial and household sectors.

Pada tahap 1 dan tahap 2, pembangunan infrastruktur gas di IKN akan memanfaatkan moda beyond pipeline yaitu CNG atau LNG dan disebut dengan skenario bridging. Sedangkan pada tahap 3 hingga tahap 5, akan menggunakan pipa penyaluran yang sumber gasnya berasal dari Pipa Seinpah Balikpapan sebagai skenario utama, ujar Achmad, dalam keterangannya, Senin 12 Juni.

PGN has penetrated the East Kalimantan region in natural gas utilization, so that in its development it can reach IKN. In the East Kalimantan region, PGN manages integrated gas distribution including Seintah-Balikpapan Transmission Pipes (2022-2023 construction), Samarinda City jargas, Kutai Kartanegara Regency Jargas, Bontang City Jargas, Balikpapan City Jargas, Tanjung Santan-KM53-SKG Bontang Transmission Pipeline, Balikpapan SPBG, Bontang LNG Filling Station, and Retail LNG to Industry and Commercial which began in 2023.

The potential for natural gas demand at IKN is approximately 12.6 BBTUD up to stage 5 and can contribute to reducing CO2 emissions reaching 45,852 Tons of CO2 per year.

Achmad continued, for gas supply at IKN, PGN will provide it from the East Kalimantan Gas Field which is channeled through the PGN Seinpah-Balikpapan pipeline. Then you can use PGN's LNG Filling Station with a capacity of 12.8 BBTUD with a gas allocation that is still available at 4 7 BBTUD.

Meanwhile, the Balikpapan SPBG is operated by Pertamina Retail with a capacity of 1 BBTUD, with a capacity that is still available at 0.2 0.4 BBTUD. PGN also has an allocation of 5 BBTUD LNG Kayan, an allocation that is still available at 2.5 BBTUD.

The fulfillment of natural gas at IKN by PGN refers to the IKN Energy Policy Based on Law Number 3 of 2022, IKN is planned to use mixed hydrogen gas and natural gas' as a source of city gas to be in line with IKN's vision with the concept of net zero emissions.

PGN as the executor of Pertamina's assignment for gas development at IKN, is ready to collaborate with the IKN Authority and other stakeholders to develop natural gas in IKN specifically. PGN is also ready to serve and distribute natural gas for other sectors, in the East Kalimantan region," said Achmad.

Natural gas is a cleaner and more environmentally friendly transitional energy, the use of natural gas at IKN brings positive benefits and, in line with Indonesia's vision towards Net Zero Emission in 2060.

"Earth gas produces lower CO2 emissions than fuel. In addition, natural gas comes from within the country, so the country's foreign exchange for energy import needs can be saved. Finally, consumers will get practical, reliable, comfortable and safe energy products and services. Gas prices are also more competitive than other energies," concluded Achmad.