JAKARTA. State-owned gas distributor Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) says it is ready to increase the number of natural gas filling stations (SPBG) to support the government’s gasoline-to-natural gas conversion program.

PGN spokesperson Irwan Andri Atmanto said the firm was optimistic the gasoline-to-natural gas conversion program would expand following the Nov. 18 lowering of fuel subsidies.

“Increased subsidized-fuel prices will lead the consumers to shift to natural gas,” he said, as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Sunday.

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Natural gas fuel is selling at only Rp 3,100 (25 US cents) per liter. Meanwhile, the new price of subsidized Premium is Rp 8,500 per liter and for diesel it is Rp 7,500 per liter.

“With quite a huge margin of prices between natural gas fuel and subsidized- and non-subsidized fuel, natural gas becomes a good alternative energy for the people,” said Irwan.

To increase the number of SPBGs, he said PGN would develop its own SPBGs using both “online” schemes and mobile refueling units (MRU).

Currently, PGN has seven filling stations, comprising three online-type stations in Bekasi, Bogor and Ketapang and four MRUs in Cawang, Cengkareng, Monas and at the Pluit Dam.

PGN is also ready to operate two more filling stations in Cilegon and Surabaya later this month.

“We will also supply gas to our counterparts in Jakarta,” said Irwan, adding that the firm also planned to expand SPBG facilities in a number of areas such as Batam, Bekasi, Bogor, Cilegon, Jakarta and Surabaya.

The second measure PGN would take to increase the number of its natural gas filling facilities was by integrating SPBGs into regular gasoline stations, Irwan said.

“Currently, 73 SPBUs in Jakarta are located near to PGN pipelines. We will install natural gas fuel dispensers at the SPBUs so that consumers can also fill up on natural gas there,” he added. (ebf)

Editor: Hendra Gunawan