Bogor, W. Java (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Energy Council (DEN) is reviewing a plan to repurpose inactive or ‘idle’ storage tanks to strengthen the country’s Energy Buffer Reserve (CPE) as a low-cost solution to fortify energy security.”We are looking into how these idle tanks can be maximized,” DEN member Satya Widya Yudha said on the sidelines of an event at IPB University in Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday (June 10).Expanding crude oil storage capacity is central to Indonesia's medium-term strategy for energy independence.DEN aims to significantly boost the country's national energy reserve capacity from its current 18-to-21-day supply to a minimum of 30 days.Satya noted that utilizing existing, unused tanks offers a pragmatic solution to strengthening national reserves without incurring the high financial costs associated with building new infrastructure.“That is what we are thinking because that is the least expensive option,” he stated.In addition to inactive commercial tanks, DEN is also considering using storage assets belonging to upstream Cooperation Contract Contractors (KKKS) whose operational lifespans have expired and have legally become state property.”Those upstream tanks belonging to the KKKS may already belong to the state. We are also thinking about that,” Satya added.Concurrently, the council is reviewing existing Presidential Regulations (Perpres) governing the CPE to explore funding alternatives.DEN seeks to amend the framework to involve the private sector, ensuring that infrastructure procurement is not solely dependent on the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN).”We are evaluating whether private involvement can be utilized to build this storage, because under the current Perpres, this is purely funded by the APBN,” Satya explained.While DEN focuses on optimizing existing assets, Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced parallel plans to build new dedicated oil storage facilities within the Sumatra Special Economic Zone (KEK).Bahlil confirmed that the Sumatra project is currently undergoing a feasibility study. He also revealed that Indonesia has offered to host a proposed regional oil storage hub for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).However, he emphasized that domestic energy security remains the priority, stating that Indonesia will move forward with the Sumatra infrastructure project regardless of whether a regional ASEAN agreement is reached.