JAKARTA — Indonesia’s fuel reserve capacity has recently come under public scrutiny, particularly as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raise concerns over global energy supply stability.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia explained that the difference in fuel resilience between Indonesia and Japan is not simply a matter of import capability, but largely due to domestic energy storage limitations.
Currently, Indonesia’s national fuel reserves are estimated to last around 25 to 26 days. The government aims to gradually increase this figure to 90 days, aligning with international energy security standards.
In contrast, Japan—despite having a smaller territory—can maintain energy reserves for up to 254 days.
According to Bahlil, the disparity stems from Japan’s far more developed and extensive energy storage infrastructure.
“If we import fuel in volumes similar to Japan, the question is: where would we store it? That’s our main challenge,” Bahlil said during a press briefing at the Energy Ministry’s office in Jakarta.
Geopolitical Tensions Drive Energy Concerns
The issue of energy security has regained attention following rising tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in late February 2026.
The escalation briefly triggered fears of disruption to global energy distribution, particularly after Iran reportedly closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most vital oil shipping routes.
A significant portion of global oil transportation passes through the strait, making any disruption a major concern for international energy markets.
Government Plans New Energy Storage Facilities
To strengthen national energy resilience, the Indonesian government plans to develop new energy storage facilities, with construction expected to begin in 2026. The proposed site is located in Sumatra, where infrastructure expansion is considered feasible.
The project is expected to significantly improve Indonesia’s fuel reserves and help the country reach the 90-day energy security target.
Despite the concerns, Bahlil emphasized that Indonesia’s current energy stock remains safe. National reserves of crude oil, fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are currently above the minimum national threshold of 23 days.
Additionally, coal supplies for steam power plants operated by PT PLN (Persero) are reportedly secure until April 2026.
The government continues to monitor the balance between domestic energy production and consumption to ensure supply stability—especially ahead of the upcoming Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr periods, when energy demand typically rises.
Author: Faisal/Kini Media Editorial Team
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