PLN develops LNG network for five Nusa Tenggara power plants

Labuan Bajo — — PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia is developing an LNG logistics network in Nusa Tenggara to supply five power plants with a combined capacity of 477 megawatts across Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores, according to reports published on Sept. 15 and Sept. 18, 2026.

The project is being built to reduce the use of diesel fuel at gas-capable plants and is expected to begin operating in early 2029, according to Tempo and RRI. The reports say the network will serve PLTMG Lombok Peaker, PLTMG Lombok-2 Sambelia, plants in Sumbawa, Flores and Maumere.

Tempo reported that the five sites together require an average 39.8 BBTUD of gas, while the network design includes LNG transport, storage, regasification and delivery to the plants. RRI said PLN EPI plans one LNG vessel with a capacity of 22,000 cubic meters and a round trip of about 10 days to serve the locations in rotation.

What PLN EPI says the network includes

According to the reports, the cluster is planned as an integrated supply chain rather than a single terminal. It would include onshore gasification units and LNG storage and regasification facilities at the receiving sites.

• Lombok Peaker: 8,000 cubic meters of LNG storage and 32.07 MMSCFD of regasification capacity
• Lombok-2 Sambelia: 5,000 cubic meters and 23.75 MMSCFD
• Sumbawa: 7,500 cubic meters and 29.29 MMSCFD
• Flores: 2,500 cubic meters and 19.08 MMSCFD
• Maumere: 4,500 cubic meters and 9.50 MMSCFD

The reports also say the full Nusa Tenggara cluster would comprise nine onshore gasification units and two LNG vessels. PLN EPI said the infrastructure is intended to strengthen primary fuel supply and electricity reliability in the region.

For households, businesses and investors, the significance of the project lies in whether PLN can secure a stable LNG supply chain at predictable cost. The reports do not provide a capital expenditure estimate, tariff forecast or operating-cost comparison with existing fuels.

Why the plan matters for Nusa Tenggara

The network would stretch across multiple islands, making logistics central to its success. The reports do not specify where LNG will be sourced, where it will be received first, or how the fuel will be moved between sites beyond the planned vessel-based rotation.

PLN EPI’s stated aim is to replace diesel use at plants that can run on gas, which would make the project relevant for emissions, supply security and fuel costs. But the reports do not quantify any expected reduction in outages, emissions or electricity tariffs.

Tempo’s Sept. 18 report said the LNG cluster would supply five plants in Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores with a combined capacity of 447 MW, while the Sept. 15 reports from Tempo and RRI described the same program as serving five locations with 477 MW. The available reporting does not explain the difference in the totals.

Correction: the article has been updated to reflect the 477-MW figure reported on Sept. 15 by Tempo and RRI, while noting that Tempo’s Sept. 18 report used 447 MW. The plant list, early-2029 target and storage/regasification details come from the Sept. 15 reports.

Sources

• Tempo
• RRI