Jakarta — Natural gas is increasingly demonstrating its role as a strategic energy source in supporting the transition to national energy self-sufficiency. The government, along with PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN) and the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the use of this clean energy source, in line with the 2060 Net Zero Emission (NZE) target and the national priorities of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
PGN’s Director of Infrastructure and Technology, Hery Murahmanta, emphasized that natural gas is the backbone of the national energy transition. Besides its crucial role in controlling air pollution, the use of natural gas, particularly the household gas network (jargas), is believed to provide a sustainable solution to reducing energy imports.
“We hope natural gas can be an alternative to reduce LPG imports, in line with the President’s directive, Asta Cita, to achieve energy self-sufficiency. We, as implementers in the field, will continue to strive to optimize infrastructure development to increase the use of natural gas across all levels of society,” said Hery.
As concrete evidence, PGN has built more than 15,000 state-funded gas networks and over 69,000 independent gas networks in Banten Province. These networks span Cilegon City, Serang Regency, Tangerang Regency, Tangerang City, and South Tangerang City. PGN is committed to continuing to expand public access to this clean energy, although it requires government support for optimal development.
“Government support is essential to accelerate the expansion of the gas network, including through accelerated licensing, economic incentives for gas network development, and public outreach,” Hery added.
Similarly, the Head of BPH Migas, Erika Retnowati, emphasized that natural gas plays a strategic role as a pillar towards national energy self-sufficiency. She stated that utilizing natural gas not only provides a more environmentally friendly transitional energy source but also supports national economic growth.
“Besides being a cleaner transitional energy source, natural gas also supports economic growth,” Erika said in a statement in Jakarta.
Erika added that the use of natural gas is in line with the second national priority of Asta Cita, which emphasizes national independence through self-sufficiency in energy, food, water, green economy, blue economy, and creative economy.
“Natural gas not only serves as a cleaner transitional energy source, but also plays a key role in the national economy, supporting the industrial and electricity sectors, as well as households, so that its benefits can be felt widely by the community,” Erika emphasized.
Meanwhile, PGN’s Commercial Director, Aldiansyah Idham, highlighted the company’s progress in the construction of the Medan CNG Mother Station (MS), which is being undertaken by PT Gagas Energi Indonesia (PGN Gagas). This project not only expands the natural gas market but also strengthens national energy security and encourages sustainable regional economic growth.
“The development of MS Medan is a manifestation of Subholding Gas’s commitment to supporting the 2060 Net Zero Emission target by providing affordable and widely accessible clean energy to the public, while also supporting the government’s program to reduce subsidies because the natural gas supply is 100 percent domestic,” explained Aldiansyah.
MS Medan, which began construction in June 2025, is designed with a capacity of up to 1 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) and is projected to serve up to 4.48 BBTUD of natural gas in the form of CNG in North Sumatra. This infrastructure will serve various sectors, from industry and commerce to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
These strategic steps emphasize that natural gas is not only a clean energy option but also a crucial instrument in strengthening national energy sovereignty. With synergy between the government, BPH Migas, and PGN, achieving energy self-sufficiency is believed to be closer, providing tangible benefits to the community while preserving environmental sustainability.
