TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - I.G.N. Wiratmaja Puja, director general of oil and gas at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said that the government will soon enact a regulation on the use of liquid natural gas for vehicles.
"We are expediting the plan to require the use of LNG for transportation and diversification of transportation fuels," Wiratmaja said at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 25, 2017.
Wiratmaja explained that the regulation will allow people to have more fuel options, as well as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly fuel.
"In addition, we don't have to import natural gas," Wiratmaja added.
According to Wiratmaja, the regulation is in line with the low emission car program initiated by the Industry Ministry. Wiratmaja added that domestic gas production would be enough to meet domestic demands.
Wiratmaja views that the availability of gas in a number of regions is favorable. However, Wiratmaja pointed out that the country is lacking in gas infrastructures. Therefore, Wiratmaja revealed that the government will implement the regulation in several stages depending on the conditions of gas infrastructures, pipe network, and other supporting facilities.
Wiratmaja said that gas infrastructures in East Kalimantan, East Java, West Java and Palembang have been ready.
"In this regulation, the [Energy and Mineral Resources] Minister will set a roadmap," Wiratmaja said.
Wiratmaja explained that as many as 150 fuel filling stations have already had LNG dispensers. Wiratmaja hopes that there will be more LNG filling stations by 2018 and 2019.
DIKO OKTARA
