30 September 2024 

The government's move to come president-elect Prabowo and Gibran will continue the policy of utilizing biofuel sources in this case palm oil or biodiesel as a mixture of fuel oil (BBM) as conveyed by the Chairman of the Board of Experts of the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN) Burhanuddin Abdullah is very appropriate.

This was conveyed by APINDOSU Deputy Chairman in charge of Plantations and Agriculture, Usli Sarsi when contacted by Analisa via cellular telephone, Saturday (28/9).

“Palm oil is a natural wealth of Indonesia that is not owned by many countries,” said Usli.

Previously, more palm oil products were exported in the form of raw materials, namely CPO, now gradually palm oil products began to be managed domestically into biofuels, namely biodiesel.

By managing palm oil products into biodiesel, more energy will be absorbed considering that energy is needed by various sectors.

Data from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, over the past seven years, the biodiesel blending rate has continued to increase from 15% (B15) in 2015, increased to 20% (B20) in 2016, increased to 30% (B30) in 2020, and increased to 35% (B35) in 2023. Currently, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is preparing for the implementation of the 40% biodiesel mandate (B40), which is targeted to start on January 1, 2025.

“We strongly support Prabowo Subianto's government policy of utilizing biodiesel to be increased to B50, from the current B35 that has been implemented,” said Usli.

The use of biodiesel for domestic energy needs has saved the budget.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said in a press release that Indonesia managed to save up to IDR 404 trillion in oil imports in the 2018-2022 period thanks to mandatory biodiesel. If the palm oil blend is further increased into diesel, the greater the savings in the oil import budget.

“We hope that Indonesia's biodiesel can reach B100,” he said.

Source : Analisa