VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The use of biogenic shallow gas in Central Java is expected to be developed as a new alternate energy source and to realize the energy independence of the people. That was stated by Head of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Agung Pribadi in an official statement in Jakarta Tuesday (12/7). He also said that the biogenic shallow gas is eco-friendly and alternate to the liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

Biogenic shallow gas is a gas found in shallow rock layers, formed by methanogenic bacteria in the anaerobic marsh area. Agung further stated that the biogenic shallow gas application in some places across Central Java is expected to boost local people's economic development.

In 2020, the Central Java Energy and Mineral Resources Agency built a biogenic shallow gas installation in Bantar Village, Banjarnegara for 25 families. Then in 2021, it was expanded to 100 families with the farthest installation being 600 meter. Agung added that the biogenic shallow gas use can save 72 percent of LPG cost.

On June 29 2022, the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) along with the Central Java Energy and Mineral Resources Agency visited some locations that use renewable energy. One of them was Bantar Village, which uses biogenic shallow gas to support the village's energy independence. This activity encourages Indonesian energy transition and maps the emerging community-based potential and innovation.