Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral\nResources (ESDM) has completed testing the use of Vegetable-Based Fuel\n(BBN) in the form of 50% biodiesel (B50) in the heavy mining equipment\nsector. The results indicate that B50 can strengthen national energy\nresilience amid global geopolitical conditions.<\/p>\n
Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation\n(Dirjen EBTKE) of the Ministry of ESDM, Eniya Listiani Dewi, explained\nthat the operational and technical results from the testing were in line\nwith expectations.<\/p>\n
She noted that the current use of B50 in diesel engines shows no\nsignificant disruptions to engine performance or field operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall, the interim results of testing B50 use in diesel engines in\nthe mining sector show stable performance and no significant disruptions\nto the engines were found. This is a positive indication that biodiesel\ncan be relied upon to support industrial sector operations,\u201d she stated\nin an official remark, quoted on Wednesday (8\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
The testing covered fuel quality checks, engine performance,\noperational durability, and storage stability. By the end of March 2026,\nengine durability had exceeded 900 hours of operation without any\nindications of damage or disruptions caused by the vegetable-based fuel\nquality.<\/p>\n
Although there was an increase in fuel consumption of around 3.12%\ncompared to B40, this figure is considered within reasonable limits and\ndoes not significantly affect heavy equipment productivity.<\/p>\n
Additionally, B50 fuel has met the agreed specifications, including\nparameters for water content, oxidation stability, and Fatty Acid Methyl\nEster (FAME) content.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe development of B50 is an important step in promoting national\nenergy independence. By utilising domestic resources, we not only\nstrengthen energy resilience but also add value to the national\neconomy,\u201d Eniya revealed.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, General Manager Plant of PT Harmoni Panca Utama\n(HPU), Rochman Alamsjah, disclosed that his company had conducted direct\ntesting by comparing the performance of two units of heavy equipment\nusing B40 and B50.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, we have been running for approximately 1,000 hours,\ncomparing the performance of two HD785 Komatsu units, one consuming B40\nand the other B50. So far, up to nearly 1,000 hours on the hour meter,\nengine performance has not been an issue, although there are some minor\nnotes regarding fuel consumption still fluctuating 1-3% higher for B50,\u201d\nhe explained.<\/p>\n
Thus, the implementation of B50 is a continuation of the success of\nthe B40 programme that has been running nationally since early 2025.<\/p>\n
The government plans to expand the series of tests to other sectors,\nfrom transportation, power generation, to railways, to ensure technical\nstandard readiness before this policy is implemented nationwide.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ministry-of-energy-and-mineral-resources-tests-b50-biodiesel-for-heavy-mining-equipment-here-are-the-results-1775641927", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }