The government plans to implement the mandatory 50 percent biodiesel\nblend, or B50, starting 1 July 2026. However, for the programme to\nsucceed and attract public interest, setting the selling price is\nconsidered a crucial factor.<\/p>\n
Executive Director of the Centre for Energy and Mining Law Studies\n(PUSHEP) Bisman Bhaktiar stated that the economic price of B50 must be\nable to compete in the market. According to him, the ideal price\nposition is above the subsidised diesel price but significantly below\nthe non-subsidised diesel price, such as Pertadex.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe economic price for B50, because it is new, must be far below the\nprice of Pertadex and above the price of subsidised diesel,\u201d Bisman said\nwhen contacted in Jakarta on Friday.<\/p>\n
Currently, the price of Pertadex is around Rp24,800 per litre, while\nsubsidised biodiesel is sold at Rp6,800 per litre. Bisman highlighted\nthat the nearly fourfold price gap could potentially trigger misuse of\nsubsidised diesel fuel. Therefore, he proposed that the B50 price be set\nbetween these two figures.<\/p>\n
He argued that a competitive price is necessary to overcome possible\npublic scepticism towards the new fuel product. \u201cIt must be far below,\nwhy? Because people\u2019s perception of B50 might also be doubtful,\u201d he\nsaid. If the price of B50 can compete, he believes the public will be\nmore inclined to choose this fuel for their vehicles.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the government views the B50 programme as a\nstrategic step to achieve energy self-sufficiency and end dependence on\ndiesel imports. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil\nLahadalia confirmed that Indonesia will stop importing diesel fuel\nstarting this year, in line with the implementation of B50 in July\n2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cNext July we will inaugurate B50, which will save Indonesia\u2019s face\nfrom our dependence on diesel imports. Starting this year, we will no\nlonger import diesel,\u201d Bahlil stated in Jakarta on Thursday (25\/6).<\/p>\n
Bahlil explained that Indonesia\u2019s total diesel consumption currently\nreaches 39 million kilolitres. With the existing B40 mandate, which uses\na 40 percent blend of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), a portion of this\ndemand is already met from domestic sources. The increase to a 50\npercent blend through B50 is expected to fully cover the national diesel\nrequirement without the need for imports.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/b50-biodiesel-price-must-be-competitive-to-attract-public-interest-1782514214", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }