Indonesia turns to LNG power as coal exit plans falter
Indonesia is turning to LNG-fuelled power generation to ease its stalled coal exit, as international coal retirement efforts struggle. Tenders for small-scale LNG distribution are targeting 41 power plants with 2,148 MW capacity combined in remote regions, with operations expected from late 2026 to 2027.
Rising coal-burn overshadows Southeast Asia’s energy transition
Across Southeast Asia, burning coal for power generation is rising faster than anywhere in the world – except for Bangladesh which is on course to overtake Pakistan as an LNG importer by 2035. The pivot to coal threatens to undermine Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in Indonesia and Vietnam, not least because clean energy finance is hard to come by.
Pakistan seeks to re-sell LNG, considers floating storage
Pakistan LNG Ltd (PLL) is looking to resell excess cargoes and considers storing tankers offshore. Excess term LNG deliveries could incur state energy companies nearly $400 million in losses, especially since the rapid solar PV build-out cuts short the need of burning gas for generating electricity.
Bosowa and BK LNG accelerate Indonesia’s coal-to-gas switch
Privately-held Bosowa Energy Group, an East Indonesian conglomerate, has teamed up with BK LNG Solutions to accelerate Indonesia’s clean energy transition. The two partners agreed to develop floating storage units (FSRUs) for importing LNG to fuel gas-fired power plants and distribute small-scale LNG via ISO tanks to remote and underserved regions.
The cooperation allows Bosowa Energy to combine its domestic operational capabilities with BK LNG’s international LNG expertise. A key element of the partnership will be the re-powering of diesel-fuelled plants on remote island to run on natural gas. The initiative will not only help cut emissions but also improve electricity access and grid stability in remote and often underserved regions.
Pilot projects underway in East Indonesia
To that end, Bosowa and BK LNG want to deploy modular LNG regas units and develop a localized system of micro grids. Pilot projects are scheduled to launch in Eastern Indonesia towards the end of 2025, with plans to expand operations nationwide in the coming years.
By joining forces, Bosowa and BKLS aim to accelerate project execution. Muhammad Akram, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Bosowa Energy Group said the partnership “not only enables us to diversify our energy portfolio with scalable LNG solutions, but also directly supports our mission to reduce emission to enhance energy reliability in underserved regions.”
Henry Kim, President of Singapore-based BK LNG Solutions, highlighted the company’s commitment to support Indonesia’s clean energy transition: "As a specialist in flexible LNG solutions (…) we are confident in our ability to deliver reliable and efficient natural gas solutions tailored to Indonesia's unique needs, which we believe are essential for a resilient energy transition,” he said.
Rival FSRU onstream in West Java
The Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) has already put an FSRU into commercial operation in early April. The floating LNG import units helps provide fuel to a power plant in West Java. The project is one of Asia’s first integrated gas-to-power project that involves an FSRU.
Development of the Jawa 1 gas-fired plant and project development was handled by PT Jawa Satu Regas (JSR), a jointly established company with PT Pertamina, Marubeni, and Sojitz Corp. Debt financing was arranged via the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Asia Development Bank (ADB), Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, Oversea Chinese Banking Corpn, Crédit Agricole and Investment Bank, and Société Générale Bank & Trust.
Asia-Pacific oil producers prioritize natural gas investments
CAPEX intensity of oil & gas producers in Asia-Pacific stays high, driven by upstream spending and energy-transition initiatives which makes producers prioritize investment in natural gas and LNG. According to Fitch Ratings, oil prices will retreat to mid-cycle levels by 2026, while earnings are bolstered by up to 15% growth in production volumes.
Moody’s sees IOCs adapt to ‘low-carbon transition risk’
Hazards of oversupply are preoccupying International Oil Companies (IOCs) as less carbon-intensive sources of energy compound the risk of future oil and gas oversupply. Still, Moody's analysts are convinced oil majors will tackle these new issues through a triad of conservative financial policies to strengthen balance sheets, capital discipline, and robust long-term planning that anticipates secular shifts – like the global trend towards renewables and energy storage.
