The new gas stations are part of the Indonesian governments campaign to encourage fuel users to shift from oil to gas in order to fulfil the governments target of reducing greenhouse gases by 26 percent by 2020.
"The current gas stations are not enough to fulfil the local demand, especially the demand from Transjakarta buses, whose numbers will increase from next year," Heri added.
The 16 gas stations will be built in the Greater Jakarta area (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi), West Java province, East Java province and Riau province.
Indonesian state oil and gas company PT Pertamina is also expected to construct seven new gas stations in and around Jakarta this year to support the governments oil-to-gas conversion program.
"The seven gas stations will be entirely financed from Pertaminas internal cash accruals," Pertaminas gas director, Hari Karyuliarto, stated.
The projects, including the construction of gas stations in Cililitan and Pulogadung, East Jakarta, and the restoration of gas stations in Mampang, South Jakarta, have been included in the companys business plan for this year, he noted.
The projects are designed to encourage motor vehicles, particularly public transport vehicles in the capital, to switch to gas.
Earlier, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry planned to distribute two thousand free gas fuel converters to public transport vehicle owners this year. The converters are expected to cost the government Rp35 billion.
Indonesia needs a total of 40 thousand converters to support the oil-to-gas conversion program.
Reporting by Kelik Dewanto
Translating and Editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi
EDITED BY INE
(A051/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
