Gas Is Back: Indonesia’s Momentum as a Global Energy Player
Drawing on discussions at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, ASPEBINDO Chairman Dr. Anggawira argues that Indonesia can use its natural gas resources to strengthen energy security and build competitive industries. He calls for faster project development, better connections between gas producers and consumers, and pricing that keeps projects viable and gas affordable for industry. He also urges Indonesian energy companies to pursue strategic investments and partnerships abroad to secure access to supplies, technology, and markets.
GAS INDUSTRY NEWS
Republika.com-Dr. Anggawira (Ketua Umum ASPEBINDO)
At Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, ASPEBINDO Chairman Dr. Anggawira saw energy security return to the center of discussions about natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). He argues that this shift matters for developing Asian economies, which must expand energy supplies to support growth while keeping prices affordable and cutting emissions. In his view, LNG can support reliable power generation and industrial competitiveness as geopolitical tensions reshape energy trade.
The growth of artificial intelligence and large data centers illustrates how energy supply can shape investment decisions. These facilities need reliable electricity around the clock, and investors also weigh its price and emissions. Anggawira argues that Indonesia’s ability to attract data centers, semiconductor investment, and advanced manufacturing will depend in part on how well it combines gas, renewables, storage, stronger power grids, and digital technology.
Gas producers face growing pressure to cut emissions from their own operations. Anggawira points to methane reduction, more efficient production, digital monitoring, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) as ways to lower the emissions intensity of gas. He says these efforts will increasingly influence access to financing and markets.
At home, Anggawira calls for faster gas project development and a connected distribution system. Indonesia’s gas fields and major customers are often in different parts of the archipelago, so pipelines, LNG terminals, floating storage and regasification units, and smaller-scale distribution can work together to move gas where it is needed. Delays in bringing fields into production can also postpone investment, state revenue, technology transfer, and job creation.
Anggawira proposes pooling gas from sources with different production and delivery costs to keep prices competitive for industrial buyers while preserving the economics of upstream projects. He argues that the benefits of gas development should also be measured through the industries it supports, from fertilizer and petrochemicals to power generation and smelting, as well as the jobs, import substitution, and higher-value exports it generates.
Internationally, Anggawira urges Indonesian energy companies to build on examples such as MedcoEnergi by pursuing overseas assets, long-term supply contracts, and partnerships in areas such as LNG trading and shipping. He argues that attracting investment into Indonesia and investing abroad can serve complementary goals. Inward investment can accelerate domestic projects, while carefully selected overseas investments can improve access to energy supplies, technology, and markets.
At Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, ASPEBINDO Chairman Dr. Anggawira saw energy security return to the center of discussions about natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). He argues that this shift matters for developing Asian economies, which must expand energy supplies to support growth while keeping prices affordable and cutting emissions. In his view, LNG can support reliable power generation and industrial competitiveness as geopolitical tensions reshape energy trade.
The growth of artificial intelligence and large data centers illustrates how energy supply can shape investment decisions. These facilities need reliable electricity around the clock, and investors also weigh its price and emissions. Anggawira argues that Indonesia’s ability to attract data centers, semiconductor investment, and advanced manufacturing will depend in part on how well it combines gas, renewables, storage, stronger power grids, and digital technology.
Gas producers face growing pressure to cut emissions from their own operations. Anggawira points to methane reduction, more efficient production, digital monitoring, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) as ways to lower the emissions intensity of gas. He says these efforts will increasingly influence access to financing and markets.
At home, Anggawira calls for faster gas project development and a connected distribution system. Indonesia’s gas fields and major customers are often in different parts of the archipelago, so pipelines, LNG terminals, floating storage and regasification units, and smaller-scale distribution can work together to move gas where it is needed. Delays in bringing fields into production can also postpone investment, state revenue, technology transfer, and job creation.
Anggawira proposes pooling gas from sources with different production and delivery costs to keep prices competitive for industrial buyers while preserving the economics of upstream projects. He argues that the benefits of gas development should also be measured through the industries it supports, from fertilizer and petrochemicals to power generation and smelting, as well as the jobs, import substitution, and higher-value exports it generates.
Internationally, Anggawira urges Indonesian energy companies to build on examples such as MedcoEnergi by pursuing overseas assets, long-term supply contracts, and partnerships in areas such as LNG trading and shipping. He argues that attracting investment into Indonesia and investing abroad can serve complementary goals. Inward investment can accelerate domestic projects, while carefully selected overseas investments can improve access to energy supplies, technology, and markets.
Office:
Rasuna Office Park, 3rd Floor Unit TO-07
Complex Rasuna Epicentrum
Jl. HR. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, Jakarta 12960
Tel : +62 21 8378 3757, 8379 5203
Fax : +62 21 8378 1126, 8379 5302
Email : secretariat@indonesiangassociety.com
© 2014. Indonesian Gas Society. All rights reserved.
Mailing Address:
Jl.Kebon Baru 3 No.4 RT.03/RW.09 Tebet, Asem Baris,Jakarta Selatan, 12830