The LPG Conversion Dilemma
The conversion from LPG to compressed natural gas lacks transparency. Safety matters more than savings.
The Indonesian government's plan to replace liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with compressed natural gas (CNG) has sparked concerns due to a lack of transparency. While CNG is cheaper and domestically abundant, the rushed implementation raises questions about safety. LPG cylinders store liquefied gas at 5 to 10 bar pressure, while CNG requires high-tech cylinders and systems for 200 to 250 bar pressure.
This poses significant risks, such as the potential release of large amounts of energy in the event of an explosion or gas leak. The government has appointed Pindad to produce up to 30,000 cylinders, with imports for protective casings. CNG cylinders have only undergone three tests by a research institution, with results yet to be disclosed.
The government could utilize existing natural gas networks, which have 943,000 connections as of 2024, but this would require substantial upfront investment. While CNG conversion promises savings, safety must remain the top priority.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
