Jakarta, IO – President Prabowo Subianto chaired a plenary session of the National Energy Council (DEN) at the Merdeka Palace on Thursday. The council’s first plenary meeting of 2026 focused on strategic measures to ensure national energy security and strengthen energy independence amid volatile global geopolitics.
The meeting was also attended by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who serves as DEN vice chairman, along with council members from government bodies and key industry stakeholders.
“Among the key issues discussed was responding to ongoing geopolitical shifts by ensuring our national energy availability remains sufficient,” said Energy and Mineral ResourcesMinister Bahlil Lahadalia.
“During the meeting, President Prabowo provided direct directives, confirming that our national fuel reserves stand at 18 to 20 days, which remains in a clear and stable position.”
Beyond immediate supply security, Prabowo instructed officials to bolster long-term energy self-sufficiency. This includes laying the groundwork for E50 bioethanol fuel following the government’s implementation of the B50 biodiesel program.
According to Bahlil, the policy aims to boost domestic fuel capacity to meet national demand, which currently stands at approximately 39 million kiloliters of diesel fuel and 39 to 40 million kiloliters of gasoline annually.
Efforts to bolster national energy reserves will also involve expanding oil and gas production. The government plans to launch large-scale exploration across untapped basins and blocks while leveraging modern technology to optimize existing production wells.
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“President Prabowo also specifically instructed us to monitor around 45,000 community-managed oil wells, ensuring they are operated professionally and preventing any illegal sales or distribution outside authorized channels,” Bahlil added.
During the meeting, Prabowo emphasized the necessity of tight synergy between the government, academia, and business leaders in formulating national energy policies to address Indonesia’s long-term needs.
The meeting also addressed the Oil and Gas Bill, with Bahlil noting that DEN seeks to strengthen sector governance by placing a newly planned regulatory body—the Special Oil and Gas Business Entity (BUK Migas)—under the direct supervision of the president.
“As the technical minister, I will execute the President’s directives accordingly,” Bahlil said. (des)
