Nias – The government through PT PLN (Persero) continues to demonstrate its commitment to realizing national energy self-sufficiency through the development of gasification infrastructure in various regions, including underdeveloped areas. One of these important steps is marked by the commencement of gasification infrastructure development for the Nias Cluster by the subholding of PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI).
PLN President Director, Darmawan Prasodjo, emphasized that the gasification project in Nias is concrete evidence of how energy efficiency can be a lever for development in regions that previously experienced limited access to energy. He explained that with a power reserve of 20 megawatts equivalent to 43 percent of the peak load, this region is now ready to support the economic growth of the fisheries, tourism, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sectors that are growing.
Darmawan also said that this gasification initiative will be able to reduce the operational costs of electricity generation by up to IDR 72.4 billion per year in the initial stage. Not only that, this project is also expected to open up new investment opportunities and create local jobs.
“This gasification not only reduces electricity operational costs, but also opens up new investment space and creates jobs,” he said.
PLN noted that electricity consumption growth in Nias reached 11 percent, the highest in the Sumatra region, indicating a significant increase in energy needs as a direct impact of the community’s economic growth.
Meanwhile, PLN EPI President Director Rakhmad Dewanto explained that this project includes the construction of an LNG storage tank with a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters and a regasification facility with a capacity of up to 13 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD). This infrastructure will support the operation of the Gas Engine Power Plant (PLTMG) which currently has a capacity of 35 megawatts and will be increased to 59 megawatts.
Rakhmad added that the transition to natural gas not only has an impact on efficiency, but also makes a major contribution to reducing carbon emissions. This project is projected to be able to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent or equivalent to 29 thousand tons of CO₂ per year, and will increase to 47 thousand tons of CO₂ when full capacity is reached.
“We hope this project will be an important milestone in the development of clean and sustainable energy in areas outside Java,” he said.
From the government’s perspective, the Director General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jisman P. Hutajulu, assessed the Nias gasification project as a strategic step to reduce dependence on imported fuel oil (BBM) and strengthen national energy security. According to him, this project is in line with the energy transition roadmap in the National Electricity General Plan (RUKN).
He emphasized that the project in Nias is part of the development of six national gasification clusters covering Sulawesi-Maluku, Nusa Tenggara, North Papua, South Papua, and Kalimantan.
“This groundbreaking is a real commitment to providing clean, efficient, and affordable energy for the community. This is not just an infrastructure project, but an investment in the future of the nation,” said Jisman.
With this real step, the development of gasification in Nias is not only a regional energy solution, but also a symbol of progress towards sustainable national energy independence.
