Jakarta – The mandatory 40 per cent biodiesel (B40) program is set to begin on January 1, 202,5 as part of the government’s strategic steps to support energy security and reduce carbon emissions. This step is also a form of the government’s commitment to the transition to sustainable clean energy.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Yuliot emphasised that the readiness to implement the B40 program has reached the final stage. “We have conducted field checks to ensure that all supporting elements, including the Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) industry, are ready. Our target is to distribute 15.6 million kiloliters of biodiesel annually throughout Indonesia,” Yuliot said in an official statement while visiting Pertamina Refinery Unit II Dumai, Riau, on Friday, December 27.
Yuliot explained that one of the main challenges in implementing B40 is ensuring that the raw material supply chain runs smoothly amid Indonesia’s diverse geographical conditions. “The need for biodiesel feedstock is quite large, so the industry’s and supply chain’s readiness is the main focus. In addition, we also open discussions with business entities to anticipate specific obstacles in various regions,” he explained.
Areas with extreme temperatures, such as Dumai and the cold highlands, are particularly concerned. “We invite Pertamina Patra Niaga and other business entities to provide input regarding operational impacts in these areas so that the implementation of this program runs optimally,” said Yuliot.
Pertamina refinery support
PT Pertamina (Persero), through the Pertamina International Refinery, has confirmed the readiness of two main refineries to produce B40 biodiesel fuel: Refinery Unit III Plaju in Palembang and Refinery Unit VII Kasim in Papua. Pertamina Patra Niaga will blend diesel fuel with FAME. PT Pertamina International Refinery Operations Director Didik Bahagia said that the refinery has been prepared to meet the needs of B40 production.
In addition to biodiesel, Pertamina has made progress in the aircraft fuel sector by producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or palm-based bioavtur. This production is carried out at the Cilacap Refinery Green Refinery with a processing capacity of 9,000 barrels daily.
“The bioavtur trial has been successfully conducted with Garuda Indonesia aircraft for the Jakarta-Solo round-trip route. This proves that our technology and infrastructure can support the transition to clean energy, even in the aviation sector,” Didik said. (Hartatik)
