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Biodiesel B35: Indonesia's Strategic Step Toward Energy Resilience and Economic Independence

  Editorial INTI     18 hari yang lalu
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Jakarta, INTI - The Indonesian government is actively strengthening national energy resilience through renewable energy initiatives. A significant step is the implementation of the Biodiesel B35 mandate, requiring a 35% biodiesel blend in diesel fuel. This policy not only reduces Indonesia's dependency on fossil fuel imports but also adds value to the agricultural sector and creates new employment opportunities across various regions.

In his inauguration speech, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of achieving energy self-sufficiency by utilizing Indonesia’s abundant natural resources. “We must be energy self-sufficient, as God has granted us the resources to achieve this,” Prabowo declared on Sunday (10/20).

Bioenergy as a Pillar of Energy Self-Sufficiency

Supporting this policy, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government is committed to enhancing the biodiesel program. "We are currently at B35, and testing for B40 has already been completed. We are prepared to progress toward B50 or even B60,” Bahlil said on Monday (10/21).

Palm oil is the primary source of biodiesel in Indonesia, with an abundant domestic supply. According to Bahlil, palm oil has significant potential to replace imported diesel fuel on a large scale. "Utilizing palm oil as a biodiesel raw material not only increases the value of local products but also strengthens energy security,” he added.

Economic and Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel B35

The Biodiesel B35 mandate has shown positive results in strengthening energy resilience and providing economic benefits. According to data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, biodiesel production in 2023 reached 12.2 million kiloliters (KL), up from 10.45 million KL the previous year. This increase resulted in foreign exchange savings of IDR 120.54 trillion, creating added value for Crude Palm Oil (CPO) converted to biodiesel, worth IDR 15.82 trillion. Additionally, biodiesel utilization has generated employment for over 11,000 off-farm workers and approximately 1.5 million others.

Targeting Biodiesel B50 and B60: Challenges and Prospects

Given these positive trends, the government plans to raise the biodiesel blending target to B50 and B60 in the future. Head of Communications, Public Information Services, and Cooperation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Agus Cahyono Adi, explained that this increase reflects the government’s strong commitment. “Using biodiesel also supports global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality,” Agus noted.

However, implementing B50 and B60 also faces challenges, particularly in terms of technology and infrastructure. Continuous testing is required to ensure the quality and stability of higher biodiesel blends. “We want to ensure that B50 and B60 are thoroughly tested before nationwide implementation,” Agus added.

By expanding the biodiesel program, Indonesia not only reduces its reliance on fossil fuels but also promotes the development of the local agricultural and industrial sectors. Implementing Biodiesel B35 and future plans for B50 and B60 represent concrete steps toward enhanced energy self-sufficiency.

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