Gov’t Safeguards Energy Supply, Strengthen National Downstreaming
The Government continues to ensure the availability and smooth distribution of domestic fuel supplies amid rising global crude oil price dynamics. Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition who also serves as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia made the statement following a limited cabinet meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (10/19).
The Minister explained that the Indonesian Crude Price (ICP) stood in the range of US$105-106 per barrel as of Monday (10/19). Meanwhile, the average ICP from January through October 2026 was recorded at around US$91–92 per barrel.
“Our average ICP from January through October has stood at US$91 to US$92 per barrel,” he stated.
Regarding fuel availability, the Minister mentioned that national reserves for Pertalite, which has a research octane number (RON) of 90, remain in the range of 16 to 18 days. Meanwhile, reserves of other fuel types including Pertamax (RON 92), RON 95, RON 98, and diesel remain above 20 days.
“In the fuel sector, I can assure that our national reserves are generally sufficient for more than 20 days, with the exception on average of Pertalite (RON 90), which its reserves currently stand at around 16-20 days,” the Minister emphasized.
The Minister also conveyed that the Government has implemented measures to strengthen fuel supply in Bali. Following coordination with the Governor of Bali, the President Director of Pertamina, and the President Director of Pertamina Patra Niaga, the Government increased fuel reserves on the island to 11–12 days, with a target of extending coverage to 15 days within the following week.
“This will bring [reserves] fully in line with national standards. The issue previously stemmed from a delayed tanker arriving from Java to supply Bali, but it has now been resolved with the assistance of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), the Governor, the Regional Police Chief, and the Indonesian National Defense Force (TNI), with Pertamina has actively taken the necessary measures on the fuel supply side,” he explained.
The Minister further noted that fuel distribution across several areas in East Java has also been gradually resolved. According to reports from Pertamina, supply in the region has been improved through distribution measures implemented by the state enterprise.
“In several areas across East Java, where Pertamina is responsible for supply distribution on the ground, I have received reports that bottlenecks have been cleared through the supply measures they have executed,” the Minister said.
In the mineral and coal sector, the Minister reported that coal prices had begun to show an upward trend. The Government will maintain limited production relaxation to preserve supply-and-demand balance while simultaneously boosting foreign exchange earnings.
“Today, the price has reached US$154 per ton for coal with calorific value of 6,300 kcal/kg. We hope that with favorable pricing, we can increase production. We will continue limited relaxation to balance supply and demand. At the same time, we are very keen to increase foreign exchange inflows in the near term,” he noted.
In the downstreaming sector, the Minister stated that nickel industry development was progressing well, including the inauguration of several processing plants in Weda Bay, North Maluku province, by the President. The Government is also set to inaugurate an electric vehicle battery ecosystem plant in Karawang regency, West Java province, in the near future.
“We will soon inaugurate an EV battery ecosystem factory in Karawang, where the President conducted the groundbreaking ceremony a year ago. It is a joint venture between CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited) and our state-owned enterprises,” the Minister concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (YA/AW)
