Jakarta, Dec 18 (Antara) - Currently, gas is an increasingly vital source of energy for the nation, as petroleum production has steadily declined, while energy demand has continued to increase.
"By converting and maximizing the utilization of gas, our demand for energy from sources of natural gas is also increasing," Chairman of House Commission VII Gus Irawan Pasaribu stated on Monday.
According to the politician of Gerindra, natural gas is a vital energy source for catering to a variety of interests, such as for operating power plants and industries and to fuel motor vehicles.
To this end, Commission VII had encouraged the optimal utilization of domestic gas by converting fuel oil to gas fuel by maximizing the utilization of gas to meet the transportation, household, and industrial needs.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in its statement, has affirmed that the stocks of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), especially those of the three-kilogram cylinders, are still within the safe limits.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arcandra Tahar noted in Jakarta on Friday that even if there is scarcity in some places, it is temporary, owing to factors, including bad weather, which have hindered LPG shipments.
In addition, the government, along with state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina, will constantly strive to meet the Indonesian public's demand for LPG. In the event of a scarcity, the people are requested to report the matter to Pertamina's call center.
At a discussion in Jakarta, Tuesday, the deputy minister had made assurance that Indonesia will not import gas until 2019, as it still has vast gas reserves that have yet to been utilized in the next two years, or until 2019.
"We have untapped gas reserves since 2017, and until 2019, they will still be unutilized. According to government estimates, till date, we do not need to import gas until 2019, as PLN has untapped gas reserves. When the Masela block becomes operational, we will also have more unutilized gas stocks," he remarked.
The growth in the gas industry, especially the export demand and the need for gas pipelines, liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, and increasing demand for electricity will boost domestic gas consumption.
In order to save on gas, the government also called on the public to use electricity such as in cooking. The use of electric stove will also reduce the country's dependency on imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), he maintained.
Currently, the demand for LPG has reached 6.5 million tons per year, of which 4.5 million tons were imported. The electric stove is cheaper, cleaner and quicker.
After all, electricity can be generated by new and renewable sources of energy.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan observed that electricity produced from renewable energy sources would have a competitive selling price compared to those from fossil fuels such as coal and gas.
"I believe that in the future, renewable energy will be more competitive compared to fossil fuels. Maybe not now, but very soon in the future," Jonan said in a statement in Jakarta early this month.
The development of renewable energy will optimize local natural resources in a more effective and efficient way to produce sustainable energy, the minister noted.
He gave the example of the first phase of Sidrap Wind Power Plant (PLTB), which has a capacity of 75 megawatt (MW) and will sell electricity at 11.4 cents per kWh.
Its second phase with a capacity of 50 MW is expected to sell electricity at a lower price of $6 cents per kWh.
While the tidal power plant in Larantuka, East Nusa Tenggara, with a capacity of 20 MW will sell its electricity at 7.19 cents per kWh.
It is very competitive compared to power plants from other primary energy sources.
In the future, the demand for energy will continue to increase in accordance with the economic growth in Indonesia.
The government has taken some strategic moves to ensure the adequacy of energy, among others, by encouraging the development of renewable energy.
"The government has encouraged the use of renewable energy for national energy security. PLTB Sidrap is expected to start its commercial operation in early 2018," the minister revealed.
In addition to Sidrap, some renewable energy projects that have been underway are PLTB Jeneponto in South Sulawesi with a capacity of 65 MW and PLTB Tanah Baru in South Kalimantan.
In addition to the development of renewable energy, the government has prioritized the electrification of 2,500 villages in the border areas, remote areas and the outer regions.
***3***(A014/INE)EDITED BY INE(T.A014/B/BESSR/A. Abdussalam) 18-12-2017 16:15 |
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