"Based upon global economic situation, domestic economy and public welfare we conclude that controlling consumption is still the best option meaning we have to assure that the volume is set according to real needs," president said.
Cilacap, C Java (ANTARA News) - The government is weighing the right volume of fuel consumption to reduce the subsidy burden in the national budget.

Controlling consumption is still the best option to reduce the subsidy, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Wednesday.

He made the statement in his speech at the ground breaking of the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) project of Pertamina Refinery Unit IV.

"Based upon global economic situation, domestic economy and public welfare we conclude that controlling consumption is still the best option meaning we have to assure that the volume is set according to real needs," he said.

He said the government assured that fuel needs would be met using a correct policy that would assure that the subsidy goes to the right recipients and becomes the solution to help people that needs it.

"Our fuel subsidy is now indeed quite big. Therefore we will put it in order in stages and systematically so that it would reach the right targets and our budget would be healthier," he said.

President Yudhoyono on the occasion also emphasized the importance of oil to gas conversion.

Regarding the government`s energy policy President Yudhoyono said in the years to come it would be aimed at increasing the production of oil, gas and goal accompanied by exploration of renewable energy sources and promotion of energy-economy lifestyle.

President Yudhoyono on the occasion also officially marked the operation of three coal-fired plants (PLTU) namely PLTU 1 Banten-Suralaya in Cilegon with a capacity of 625 MW, PLTU 3 Banten Unit 1 Tangerang, Banten, with a capacity of 315 MW and PLTU Tanjung Jati Expansion Unit 3 in Jepara, Central Java, with a capacity of 66 MW.

To PLN (state-owned electricity company) President Yudhoyono appealed to continue to seek new environment-friendly alternative energy sources apart from coal which is less environment-friendly.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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