Bahlil: All Gas Concessions Are Prioritized For Domestic Needs

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, has asked President Prabowo Subianto for permission to prioritize all gas concessions in Indonesia for domestic needs. Bahlil stated that future gas concessions will focus on energy needs and raw materials for downstream processing. He explained that from 2025 to 2030, the gas requirement to cover 71 percent of renewable energy in Indonesia is estimated to be around 1,471 BBUTD, and this demand is expected to keep rising. By 2034, national gas needs could reach 2,659 BBUTD.

Bahlil emphasized the need for a strategy to ensure gas availability meets all domestic requirements. "I request permission that in our future planning, all gas concessions in Indonesia will be prioritized for domestic needs, especially for energy and raw materials for downstream processing," he said at the Jatigede Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex in Sumedang, West Java, on Monday (January 20, 2025). "I believe other countries may feel concerned about Indonesia's energy policy. Our focus must be on meeting domestic needs. If we are not sufficient, I apologize, Mr. President, we cannot allow exports."

However, Bahlil mentioned that if domestic needs are met, the government will consider opening up gas exports. During the same event, President Prabowo Subianto expressed optimism that in five years, Indonesia would no longer import fuel oil. He based this confidence on the energy self-sufficiency target he has set for his administration. "We must achieve energy self-sufficiency, and our goal is 100 percent energy independence. I believe that soon, we will no longer import fuel oil from abroad," Prabowo stated while inaugurating 37 electricity projects at the Jatigede Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex in Sumedang, West Java, on Monday (January 20, 2025).

Prabowo explained that energy resilience is crucial for a country aiming to become a modern industrial nation. On the other hand, Indonesia needs to process its energy resources into industrial fuel. "We have significant natural resources, and we now have the capability to make this transformation. I believe we are among the most advanced countries in the world in energy transformation," Prabowo stated. "Many countries shout about it, but we don't need to shout; we just need to take action and lead," he added.

Tag: Bahlil Lahadalia Prabowo Subianto