Prabowo chairs energy council meeting on fuel, oil strategy

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto chaired the first 2026 plenary session of Indonesia’s National Energy Council (DEN), discussing Middle East geopolitical developments, fuel reserves, the E50 biofuel target, oil exploration and the Oil and Gas Bill.

“Some issues we discussed included responding to geopolitical developments by ensuring sufficient national energy availability,” Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia told reporters after Thursday’s meeting at Merdeka Palace.

Bahlil said Prabowo instructed the council to ensure adequate fuel supplies, noting that Indonesia’s fuel stocks and national reserves currently cover about 18 to 20 days.

Prabowo also instructed the council to formulate measures to achieve the target of blending gasoline with 50 percent ethanol, known as E50, Bahlil said.

Indonesia’s annual diesel consumption is about 39 million kiloliters, while gasoline consumption ranges from 30 million to 40 million kiloliters, Bahlil said, underscoring the need for E50 development strategies.

President Prabowo also called for large-scale exploration of oil basins and blocks and optimization of existing wells through technology, Bahlil said.

“We will intervene in existing wells through technology,” Bahlil said, adding that President Prabowo also instructed the ministry to monitor 45,000 community oil wells and ensure professional management without unauthorized sales.

Regarding the Oil and Gas Bill, Bahlil said Prabowo instructed the ministry to strengthen cooperation among academics and businesses in formulating future energy policies.

The meeting, held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time, was chaired by Prabowo as DEN chairman. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and council members also attended.