Indonesia: Natural gas key to energy transition: minister

Section: General News - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif has said that natural gas has an important role in Indonesia's transition to new renewable energy.

"In Indonesia's transition to net zero emissions, oil and gas will continue to play an important role in securing energy supplies, especially in transportation and power generation sectors. Gas will be used to help realize the 100-percent application of renewable energy plants," he expounded here on Thursday.

Minister Tasrif made the remarks while delivering the keynote speech at the International Convention of Indonesian Upstream Oil and Gas (ICIUOG), which is being held from September 20 to 22, 2023, at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC).

He explained that the world is currently leaning toward the use of cleaner and renewable energy sources. The trend aligns with the BP Energy Outlook, he added.

In Indonesia, oil and gas utilization will involve three scenarios, namely 'accelerated,' 'net zero,' and 'new momentum' until 2050, although its direct use will decline due to an increase in energy efficiency and electricity use, as well as the decarbonization of the electricity sector.

According to the BP Energy Outlook, total final consumption (TFC), including oil and gas, will peak in the mid-to-late 2020s under the 'accelerated' and 'net zero' scenarios, with final energy consumption dipping 15-30 percent below 2019 levels by 2050.

In contrast, TFC will increase until around 2040 under the 'new momentum' scenario, after which it will remain stagnant, with energy consumption in 2050 pegged around 10 percent above 2019 levels.

The Indonesian government is looking to add new oil and gas working areas every year to meet oil and gas needs and secure the energy supply, Tasrif informed.

To meet its oil and gas needs, he said, Indonesia is focusing on oil and gas basin exploration, considering that it has many untapped oil and gas reserves.

Source: ANTARA News