Indonesia Tackles Illegal Solar Fuel Trade and Announces LPG Subsidy‑Saving Technology

Police in Gorontalo seized 71 galons of subsidised solar fuel after a driver claimed the fuel belonged to a police officer and was destined for illegal gold‑mining transport. In West Sumatra, a separate operation arrested seven suspects and confiscated 13 298 litres of biosolar across Padang, Pesisir Selatan, Pasaman Barat and Padang Pariaman, highlighting ongoing misuse of subsidised fuel.

Pertamina Patra Niaga announced a price cut for non‑subsidised LPG (Bright Gas). The 5.5 kg cylinder now costs Rp 103 000, down Rp 4 000, and the 12 kg cylinder falls to Rp 220 000, a reduction of about 3.5 %. The subsidised 3 kg LPG price remains unchanged.

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) revealed its absorbed natural gas (ANG) technology, developed with Nobel‑winning chemist Prof. Susumu Kitagawa, could cut the national LPG subsidy bill by up to Rp 26 trillion per year. BRIN head Arif Satria said the technology stores compressed natural gas more efficiently, potentially extending the use of a 3 kg LPG cylinder from 10 to 15 days. The system is still in testing, with a pilot expected to finish in 2026 and commercial rollout targeted for 2027.