Archives June 2025

Petroleum and coal have long been essential energy sources in the industrial sector. Unfortunately, both have harmful effects on the environment, as their combustion contributes to rising global temperatures and widespread environmental damage.

Given the alarming consequences of relying on petroleum, it’s time for us to become more aware and start turning to cleaner, more sustainable energy alternatives. Want to know the best solution? Let’s explore in this article.

Cleaner Energy Alternatives to Petroleum

In addition to their negative impact, petroleum and coal are non-renewable resources. That’s why, to move toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, we need to transition to alternative energy sources.

Today, there are five major cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy options:

1. LNG

LNG, or Liquefied Natural Gas, is natural gas that has been cooled to around -162°C, turning it into a liquid form that is easier to store and transport.

LNG produces significantly less carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to burning petroleum or coal. It also has a high energy content, making it an efficient fuel for power generation.

LNG is often referred to as a bridge fuel in the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

Read More: What’s the Difference Between LPG and LNG? A Clear Breakdown

2. Solar Energy

Solar energy works by converting sunlight into electricity using solar panels. This technology can be used on both household and industrial scales.

Solar power offers many advantages—it’s abundant, renewable, and produces zero emissions during use. Plus, Indonesia receives ample sunlight year-round, making it a highly viable energy source.

3. Wind Energy

Wind is another renewable energy source that can be harnessed to power turbines. Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from the wind into electricity. This process produces no emissions and is especially efficient in windy areas.

Many developed countries have already adopted wind power as a major part of their energy mix. Meanwhile, in developing countries like Indonesia, wind energy remains underutilized.

Read More: The Crucial Role of Alternative Electricity Sources in Shaping Our Future

4. Bioenergy (Biofuels and Biogas)

What we often consider waste can actually be a valuable energy resource. Bioenergy is derived from organic materials such as crop residues, agricultural waste, animal manure, and even household organic waste.

There are two types of bioenergy: biofuels and biogas. Biofuels are liquid fuels made from biomass, while biogas is produced through anaerobic fermentation (without oxygen) of organic materials like manure and agricultural waste.

5. Hydropower (Hydroelectric Energy)

Hydropower generates electricity by harnessing the energy of flowing water—typically from dams—to spin turbines. These turbines then convert kinetic energy into electricity.

However, the use of hydropower must be managed carefully to avoid disrupting river ecosystems. Conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and developing micro-hydro systems without building large dams are some sustainable approaches to using water as an energy source.

Read More: Why Switching to Green Energy Matters and How It Impacts the Planet?

Why LNG Is the Best Current Solution?

Among the various alternative energy sources available, LNG is considered the most viable solution for the present—especially in supporting the global energy transition.

While renewables like solar and wind hold great promise, they also come with significant challenges.

Both sources rely heavily on weather conditions and time (daylight availability), and typically require large-scale infrastructure to operate efficiently.

On the other hand, LNG provides a more stable energy supply and emits significantly less CO₂ than coal and oil.

With well-established infrastructure, a nationwide distribution network, and supportive regulations, LNG presents a practical bridge for Indonesia in achieving a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Petroleum remains a vital resource for powering industries and meeting household needs. From fueling vehicles to serving as a base ingredient in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, its uses are widespread.

But have you ever stopped to consider the environmental costs that come with it? The risks associated with petroleum are significant and often overlooked.

How Does Petroleum Harm the Environment?

Human dependence on petroleum has undeniably contributed to climate change and environmental degradation.

Greenpeace reported that the Pertamina oil spill in 2019 polluted the sea and coastal areas, particularly affecting regions such as Bekasi, Karawang, and the Thousand Islands.

This incident serves as a small yet telling example of the environmental harm caused by oil. Beyond this, petroleum carries several other serious risks that can be highly detrimental, including:

Air Pollution from Combustion

As a fossil fuel, the burning of petroleum releases a range of harmful pollutants into the air. These include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter—all of which are hazardous to both human health and the ecosystem.

Read More: Top Benefits of Natural Gas, More Than Just Low Emissions

Contribution to Climate Change

Petroleum is one of the leading contributors to climate change. When burned, it releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere.

This leads to global warming, extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to natural ecosystems.

Marine Pollution from Oil Spills

Petroleum is often transported by sea, making spills a major risk. When oil leaks into the ocean, it can devastate marine life—killing fish, coral reefs, and mangrove forests. The ecological damage from a single spill can last for decades.

Read More: Why Cutting Carbon Emissions Is Critical for the Planet’s Future?

What Are the Social and Health Impacts of Petroleum?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that poor air quality resulting from oil combustion is responsible for 6.5 million deaths annually, with the majority occurring in Asia and Africa.

Oil pollution—whether on land or in water—poses serious threats to human health and social well-being. Here are some of the direct impacts we may experience:

Public Health Risks

Exposure to petroleum and its derivatives can lead to skin irritation, respiratory problems, and even cancer.

Toxic substances in petroleum can enter the human body through contaminated air, polluted water, or direct skin contact.

Read More: Why Switching to Green Energy Matters and How It Impacts the Planet?

Social Conflict and Economic Inequality

Petroleum extraction often leads to land disputes and social tension, especially in communities living near drilling sites.

Locals may be displaced, lose their livelihoods, and be excluded from decision-making processes—all of which can trigger prolonged conflicts.

Economic and Geopolitical Dependence

Heavy dependence on petroleum makes economies vulnerable to market fluctuations. Global supply disruptions—whether caused by geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or logistics issues—can lead to soaring prices, inflation, unemployment, and even social unrest.

Read More: Why the Energy Crisis Poses a Serious Threat to the Global Economy?

LNG: A Cleaner, Smarter Energy Alternative

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) offers a more sustainable energy option compared to petroleum and coal.

LNG can cut carbon emissions by up to 85% and releases far fewer air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

With its lower environmental impact, LNG plays a vital role in helping the world transition to cleaner, more resilient energy systems.

Data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), released in October 2024, shows that 67% of the country’s electricity generation still relies on coal.

Additionally, the BP Statistical Review of World Energy ranks Indonesia sixth globally in terms of coal reserves. This abundant availability has made coal a key component of the national energy mix.

However, this heavy dependence on coal is concerning, given its significant environmental impact due to high carbon emissions.

At a time when the world is actively pursuing cleaner, renewable energy alternatives, this reliance raises important questions.

So, if we are to transition away from coal, what alternative energy sources should we be considering?

Why Do We Need to Move Away from Coal?

Coal has long played a critical role in powering industry and infrastructure. But the environmental cost is simply too high to ignore.

Extracting coal involves clearing forests, destroying natural habitats, and causing soil erosion and land degradation. These destructive processes pose a serious threat to biodiversity.

Worse still, coal is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. Burning coal releases massive amounts of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, which drives global warming and disrupts the climate system.

Read More: Why Switching to Green Energy Matters and How It Impacts the Planet?

What Are the Alternatives to Coal?

Today, several alternative energy sources are being explored and developed both globally and in Indonesia. These alternatives are cleaner and more sustainable, making them ideal replacements for coal.

1. LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)

LNG is a versatile fuel that can power electricity plants and industrial operations. Its biggest advantage is scalability—LNG can meet large-scale energy needs, and infrastructure for its transport and use is already in place, making it a practical short-to-medium-term substitute for coal.

Read More: What’s the Difference Between LPG and LNG? A Clear Breakdown

2. Solar Energy

Solar power harnesses energy from the sun—a virtually limitless resource. Indonesia, being a tropical country, enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year. Solar panels can convert sunlight into electricity for both residential and industrial use.

3. Hydropower

Hydropower uses flowing water from rivers or dams to spin turbines and generate electricity. This method is already widely used in hydroelectric power plants (PLTA) and offers a renewable and steady energy supply with minimal emissions.

Read More: What’s Driving the Surge in Electricity Demand in the Modern Era?

4. Wind Energy

Like water, wind can turn turbines to produce clean electricity. Countries like Denmark and the Netherlands have successfully adopted wind energy on a large scale, proving its reliability and long-term value.

5. Geothermal Energy

Beneath the Earth’s surface lies a vast reservoir of heat that can be tapped as geothermal energy. Indonesia, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, has immense geothermal potential—enough to power millions of homes and industries sustainably.

Read More: Why the Energy Crisis Poses a Serious Threat to the Global Economy?

Why LNG Stands Out as a Promising Replacement for Coal?

Coal combustion will always be associated with high carbon emissions and toxic pollutants. That’s why there’s growing urgency to find an energy source that is not only cleaner but also immediately usable on a large scale. This is where LNG shines.

LNG produces significantly less carbon dioxide than coal when burned—helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Moreover, LNG is easy to store and transport in liquid form, even to remote or island regions that aren’t connected to gas pipelines. This makes it a flexible and reliable energy option.

Read More: Why LNG Plays a Key Role in the Global Energy Transition?

Energy Transition Strategy from Coal to LNG and Renewable Energy (RE)

To support Indonesia’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2045, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has made a strong commitment to providing clean and affordable electricity, in line with the national goal of achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060.

The government has outlined several key strategies to transition from coal to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy (RE), including:

• Accelerating the adoption of diverse and regionally distributed renewable energy sources across the country.
• Diversifying renewable energy sources to ensure energy security.
• Developing energy planning documents with a strong emphasis on renewable energy.

These efforts are expected to progress smoothly if the government works collaboratively with the private sector to accelerate the energy transition and support PLN’s electricity supply initiatives.

LNG vs Coal: A Quick Comparison  

Aspect	Coal	LNG
CO₂ Emissions	High	Lower (by 40–50%)
Air Pollution	Severe	Minimal
Waste Output	Produces ash	Almost none
Energy Efficiency	Relatively low	High
Infrastructure Readiness	Widely available	Rapidly expanding
Long-Term Potential	Limited and environmentally harmful	Ideal for energy transition

The world cannot afford to keep depending on coal—its environmental and health impacts are too severe.

LNG emerges as a realistic, cleaner, and more cost-efficient alternative that meets current energy needs while supporting long-term sustainability goals.

With growing infrastructure and a solid distribution network, LNG can help power the nation without causing the long-lasting harm coal leaves behind.