Indonesia Pursues Energy Self-Sufficiency via Tech, Domestic Refining

RRI.CO.ID, Makassar - Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that efforts to achieve energy self-sufficiency must be supported by concrete measures and technological innovation, adding that reliance on imports reflects the suboptimal utilization of domestic energy resources.

“Energy self-sufficiency cannot be achieved without breakthroughs. Importers benefit from our inability to advance self-reliance,” Bahlil said at the 18th Plenary Session of the Central Board of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (BPP HIPMI) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday, 15 February 2026.

He added that expanding domestic refining capacity is essential to strengthen national energy supply. He cited the operation of the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project in Balikpapan, inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto on 12 January 2026, as a concrete example.

“Our RDMP refinery in Kalimantan produces 5 million kiloliters of gasoline and 3.9 million kiloliters of diesel. Therefore, this year, with the B40 program, Indonesia will no longer import diesel for the first time in its history,” he said.

Bahlil also called for technological intervention by accelerating the development of oil wells already included in the plan of development (POD), particularly aging wells, in order to increase national oil and gas lifting.

“We must intervene in these old wells through technology. Of approximately 39,000 to 40,000 wells, only around 17,000 to 18,000 are currently operating, while the remainder are idle due to aging. We will pursue cooperation to address this,” he said.

In addition, the government plans to open tenders for 110 new oil and gas blocks to strengthen domestic energy supply. The authorities aim to accelerate investment and strategic partnerships with the private sector alongside expanded production and refining capacity.

“There are around 110 new oil blocks that can be offered for tender to strengthen energy security and achieve energy self-sufficiency,” he stated.