REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, LHOKSEUMAWE -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) launched the operation of Arun liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving and regasification terminal in Jalan Medan-Banda Aceh, Blang Lancang, here on Monday, which would contribute to Pertamina's efficiency.
The terminal is managed by PT Perta Arun Gas, which is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Gas (Pertagas), the subsidiary of state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina.
At the inauguration ceremony, President Jokowi was accompanied by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said, Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah, Pertamina President Director Dwi Sutjipto, and President Director of PT Perta Arun Gas Teuku Khaidir.
Sutjipto remarked that Indonesia's gas needs have increased annually by around 5.2 percent while Java and Sumatra are still facing electricity deficit due to limited infrastructure.
"To meet the needs, Pertamina has adopted several strategies including developing the terminal, with a capacity of 400 million cubic feet," he revealed.
He remarked that the terminal included the revitalization of gas management facilities offered by Arun Gas.
"This will be managed by PT Perta, which is the subsidiary of Pertagas," he noted.
He said the first delivery of gas to Belawan will be done this month, with consumers including PT PLN.
"We hope that the gas needs in North Sumatra and Aceh would be met, including for overcoming the electricity crisis in the regions," he affirmed.
President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo arrived in Aceh on Sunday night as part of a working visit scheduled on March 8-10.
The president and his entourage, who traveled to the Indonesian westernmost province by a presidential aircraft, arrived at the Sultan Iskandar Muda Air Base in Aceh, at around 7:45 p.m. local time.
While in Aceh, President Jokowi will lead a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a dam in North Aceh.
"Funds from the state budget will be disbursed starting March, so that the construction of the projects can be started from now on," the president stated.
The president is also scheduled to inspect the distribution of gas from Arun field in Aceh to North Sumatra.
The entourage includes Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Indroyono Soesilo, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadi Mulyono, and Cabinet Secretary Andi Wijayanto.
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