Jakarta, September 18, 2026 – The Europe Today: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto chaired the first plenary session of the National Energy Council (DEN) in 2026, with discussions focusing on national fuel security, oil exploration, biofuel development and the impact of geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
The meeting, held at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, addressed measures to ensure adequate national energy availability amid geopolitical uncertainties that could affect global energy supplies.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said President Prabowo instructed the council to ensure sufficient fuel supplies. Indonesia’s current fuel stocks and national reserves are estimated to cover around 18 to 20 days.
The President also directed the formulation of strategies to achieve the government’s target of implementing E50, a fuel blend containing 50 percent ethanol. Lahadalia said Indonesia consumes approximately 39 million kiloliters of diesel annually, while gasoline consumption ranges between 30 million and 40 million kiloliters.
Oil exploration was another key issue discussed during the meeting. President Prabowo called for large-scale exploration of oil basins and blocks and the optimisation of existing wells through the application of technology.
Lahadalia said the government would intervene in existing wells through technological measures and would also monitor around 45,000 community oil wells to ensure their professional management and prevent unauthorized sales.
The meeting also discussed the Oil and Gas Bill. President Prabowo instructed the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to strengthen cooperation among academics and businesses in developing future energy policies.
The two-hour meeting, held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time, was chaired by President Prabowo in his capacity as Chairman of the National Energy Council. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and members of the council also attended.
