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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has requested comprehensive details on the nation's readiness to implement petrol blends containing 20% to 50% ethanol (E20-E50). This move comes as the government develops a coordinated roadmap designed to bolster national energy independence. Simultaneously, the administration has affirmed its commitment to proceeding with the B50 biodiesel programme, citing persistent global geopolitical uncertainties.
Bahlil Lahadalia, the Coordinating Minister for Industrialisation and Energy Transition and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, confirmed that these matters were deliberated during a meeting with the President at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, November 3. Minister Lahadalia noted that the President specifically inquired about the logistical and technical preparations for introducing E20 through E50 fuels to reduce reliance on conventional energy sources.
A strategic plan is already in development, involving close coordination with the Minister of Agriculture to guarantee the consistent availability of necessary raw materials. The E20 programme involves blending petrol with 20% ethanol, while E50 raises the ethanol content to 50%. Given that these initiatives rely heavily on agricultural feedstocks, seamless cooperation between the energy and agriculture ministries is considered essential.
However, the government has yet to release specific details regarding the proposed implementation timeline, the exact volume of raw materials required, the current ethanol production capacity, or the incremental stages of the rollout.
In tandem with the ethanol expansion, the government decided to maintain its B50 biodiesel mandate, which requires diesel fuel to be blended with 50% biodiesel. Lahadalia emphasised that sustaining this programme is vital for navigating the current climate of global geopolitical instability.
These initiatives underscore the central role of biofuels in Indonesia's strategy to enhance energy security and pivot away from conventional fuels. While the policy direction is clear, the industry awaits further announcements regarding technical preparedness and official implementation schedules for both the E20-E50 ethanol and B50 biodiesel programmes.
During the briefing, President Prabowo also received updates on various sectors, including state-owned enterprises, agriculture, and fisheries. In the energy domain, the focus remained sharp on the transition toward higher ethanol blending and the sustained trajectory of the B50 biodiesel mandate.
Source: BioEnergy Times