Biggest Energy Forum, PEF 2019 Takes On Energy Revolution Challenges

Jakarta, 26 November 2019 –PT Pertamina (Persero), Indonesia’s state-owned energy company, held the Pertamina Energy Forum (PEF) 2019. 

On Tuesday (26/11) in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Forum was attended by some 750 participants from various sectors and countries. The event was also attended by senior government officials from the Energy and Mineral ResourcesMinistry, Pertamina’s president commissioner Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Pertamina’s board of directors, as well as representatives from related agencies and ambassadors of friendly countries.

During the event, Pertamina ensured that it had prepared a number of means to anticipate changes in the energy sector. 

The president director of Pertamina, Nicke Widyawati, explained that the revolution in the energy sector was an ongoing real issue, marked by some uncertainties such as a shift of world economic power, of urbanization, middle-class growth, climate change and technology advancement. 

"The energy development must anticipate global megatrends, industrialized human resources, exploited natural resources, limitations and climate change, amid the rapid population growth,” said Nicke at the opening of the PEF 2019. 

Nicke said that in every challenge faced, there must be some factors that could be turned into opportunities or even encouraged to become strength. 

Pertamina has taken various initiatives to contribute toefforts to minimize imports, including a refinery development master plan (RDMP) mega project, a grassroot refinery (GRR) project and a coal gasification project together with PT Bukit Asam,Tbk (IDX: PTBA). Apart from that, Pertamina operates biorefineries that produce biodiesel. 

“Pertamina is ready to produce B30 starting from 21 November 2019. This will minimize fuel imports significantly,” Nicke added. 

As known, since 21 November2019, Pertamina has begun to provide B30 fuel at two terminals and will continue to expand to other distribution points until December 2019.

On the same occasion, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif said the government would cooperate with Pertamina to increase capital inflowsfor exploration activity, oil and gas production as well as development of oil and gas infrastructure. 

“Oil and gas remain significant energy sources amid the increase of demand for energy in the domestic market,” said Arifin.

According to the minister, the government focused on domestic economic growth and poverty alleviation through affordable energy availability. 

Arifin also said the government had boosted domestic energy use to reduce LPG imports. “Development of dimethyl ether (DME) can reduce imports of LPG,” he added. The electricity and industrial sectors are the largest gas consumers. Besides, the government sets a target of half a million household gas connections up to the end of 2019. 

PEF 2019, held for two consecutive days on Tuesday and Wednesday (26-27 November 2019),takes the theme of "Driving Factors: What will Shape the Future of Energy Business” and aims to improve public awareness and enables discussion sacross sectors of energy, both locally and globally. 

The result of the discussion and the more detailed analysis produced by the Pertamina Energy Forum is expected to be able to serve as a strong basis for regulators and energy business players in Indonesia in devising their best strategy to face the global megatrends.**