TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia is moving closer to energy self-sufficiency and announced that the government plans to launch B50 biodiesel in July 2026 as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 17th National Farmers and Fishermen's Week (PENAS KTNA XVII) in Gorontalo on Wednesday, June 24, Prabowo said the new biodiesel blend would contain 50 percent palm oil-based fuel.
“We are moving toward fuel self-sufficiency and energy self-sufficiency. In July, in just a few days, we will launch B50,” Prabowo told tens of thousands of farmers and fishermen from across Indonesia.
“With B50, diesel fuel will be produced using 50 percent palm oil. That means we will no longer need to import diesel fuel from abroad,” he said.
Prabowo argued that the program would help Indonesia reduce fuel imports and strengthen the country's energy security. He estimated that Indonesia could achieve energy self-sufficiency within the next three to four years.
“I estimate that within three years, or at most four years, we will achieve energy self-sufficiency. We do not want to import fuel or energy from other countries,” the president said.
Prabowo said energy independence has become increasingly important amid geopolitical tensions affecting global oil markets and supply routes. He pointed to recent developments around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping corridors, as an example of how international disruptions can affect energy supplies.
Separately, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said he was optimistic that the B50 program would be implemented starting on July 1, 2026.
“God willing, we are very optimistic that the rollout of B50 will begin on July 1,” Bahlil said in Jakarta on June 18.
According to Bahlil, the policy could significantly reduce Indonesia's diesel imports and potentially eliminate imports of certain diesel fuel products altogether.
He also said the technical aspects of B50 implementation have undergone a series of trials with positive results. The biodiesel blend has been tested on a range of vehicles and equipment, including heavy machinery, ships, trains, mining equipment, excavators, and agricultural machinery.
The government estimates that implementing B50 could save up to Rp157.28 trillion (approximately US$9.6 billion) in foreign exchange reserves this year by reducing fuel imports.
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