Jakarta – A bilateral meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the BRICS Summit resulted in a strategic commitment between the two countries to strengthen collaboration in clean energy, bioenergy, and climate resilience sectors.
Both heads of state emphasised the importance of building long-term partnerships in the global energy transition. Brazil, which has been known as a global bioenergy pioneer, is considered an ideal partner for Indonesia, which is accelerating its low-emission energy mix.
“Brazil is a country that has proven success in utilising low-carbon energy. We want to learn a lot from their experience, especially in the development of bioethanol and other biofuels,” said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Bahlil Lahadalia, after the meeting on Thursday, 10 July.
About 88% of Brazil’s electricity is sourced from low-carbon energy such as hydropower, solar, wind and bioenergy. Brazil is the world’s second largest producer of bioethanol through the optimisation of sugarcane as the main raw material.
Legal basis for strengthening the bioenergy ecosystem
According to Bahlil, Brazil’s model of integrating the agriculture and energy sectors is highly relevant to Indonesia, which has high biomass potential from local commodities such as cassava, sugarcane and oil palm.
The Indonesian government has issued Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 4 of 2025 on the Business and Utilisation of Biofuels (BBN). This regulation covers the entire value chain of biofuel development-from exploitation, distribution, to its use in the transport sector.
One of the first steps Indonesia has taken is the launch of Pertamax Green 95, which is RON 95 petrol blended with 5% ethanol (E5). This product is available on a limited basis at Pertamina’s petrol stations as part of the biofuel market test.
Prabowo praises Brazil’s energy and agriculture innovation
President Prabowo on that occasion also expressed his appreciation for Brazil’s achievements in the integrated energy and agriculture sectors. “We admire Brazil’s success in developing agriculture-based biofuels. This is not only about energy, but also economic security. We are determined to pursue the kind of progress you have made,” Prabowo told Lula da Silva.
The collaboration between Indonesia and Brazil in the bioenergy sector is strategic as it brings together Brazil’s experience with Indonesia’s natural potential and domestic market. Going forward, the two countries will form a technical team to explore technology development, joint research, and investment in the clean energy sector. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: President Prabowo Subianto poses with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the BRICS Summit. July 10, 2025. Source: Presidential Secretariat Press Office/BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr.
