Gov’t Anticipates Spike in Fuel and Electricity Consumption Ahead of Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022 Holidays

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 477.Pers/04/SJI/2021

Date: 24 December 2021

Gov't Anticipates Spike in Fuel and Electricity Consumption Ahead of Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022 Holidays

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR), Arifin Tasrif, warned of a spike in the consumption of fuels, Liquified Natural Gas (LPG), and electricity ahead of Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022. He asked that measures be taken to ensure smooth supply and distribution of energy to the public despite the ongoing restrictions on activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Arifin, the restrictions on activities have resulted in people using more electricity at home. At the national level, electricity consumption has risen by 4.5 percent.

"PT PLN (Persero) has taken predictive and preventive measures. They have also secured raw materials for primary energy and prepared workforce from D-7 to D+7," said Arifin on the sidelines of an inspection to the Saguling Hydropower Plant in the West Bandung Regency, West Java Province, on Friday (24/12).

Arifin also asked that the reliability of electricity systems be maintained to anticipate disturbances and minimize blackouts.

Meanwhile, PT Pertamina (Persero) has projected that fuel consumption will increase by 1.9 million kiloliters during Christmas and New Year holidays.

"We (the government) have asked Pertamina to prepare stock at all (crowded) places and reduce long lines (for fuels)," said Arifin during an inspection to the Padalarang Fuel Terminal in Bandung.

In the future, the Directorate General of Oil and Gas and BPH Migas are expected to prepare the infrastructure for distributing fuels through pipelines to certain locations. "This is an anticipatory measure to break long lines," said Arifin.

In terms of LPG demand, LPG distribution from PT Pertamina ahead of Christmas 2021 has picked up by an average of 1% from the October 2021 average. Avtur distribution jumped quite significantly by 22.95% from the October 2021 average.

Until December 22, 2021, the supply and distribution of fuel and LPG at the national level has run smoothly. LPG stock is enough for 15.32 days, kerosene 44.40 days, Premium 23.33 days, Pertalite 7.72 days, Pertamax 21.75 days, Turbo 48.93 days, Diesel/bio 18.90 days, Dexlite 1, 68 days, Dex 31.12 days, and Avtur 37.88 days.

The government also appreciates the efforts of Pertamina and PLN to provide the best service to the public by establishing a Task Force for Christmas and New Year Holidays (Satgas Nataru).

"They (the Satgas Nataru) have total dedication to serving the fuel and electricity needs of the public, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays," said Arifin.

In West Java, the Satgas Nataru has prepared 1,058 standby PSO LPG Agents, 6,413 standby LPG retailers, 180 standby Non-PSO LPG Agents, 632 standby Non-PSO LPG Sub-Agents, 2 mobile dispenser units, 9 modular service points, 17 Pertamina Delivery Service (PDS) points, and 53 'Kantong' gas stations, i.e. tanker trucks that are readied at certain gas stations so that they can quickly increase the stock of the gas station in case of consumption spike and congestion occurring near the gas station.

Congestion-prone locations within the service area of the West Java Satgas Nataru include Anyer, Merak, Cikampek, Nagrek, Cirebon, Garut, and tourist attractions such as Puncak, Lembang, Ciwidey, Pangandaran, and Pelabuhan Ratu. (IY)

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation

Agung Pribadi (08112213555)

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