After B50 Launch, Prabowo Tasks Bahlil with Developing B60 Biodiesel
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has officially launched the mandatory 50 percent biodiesel (B50) programme, which is blended into diesel fuel. The programme is expected to halt diesel imports while serving as a step towards a higher renewable energy mix in the future.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that following the B50 implementation, President Prabowo Subianto has issued new instructions to begin exploring the adoption of 60 percent biodiesel, or B60. In response to this new assignment, Bahlil stressed that his ministry will immediately conduct in-depth research to ensure technical readiness and engine durability before the blend ratio is increased further.
‘The President’s directive to us is to immediately consider and explore, through proper research, the possibility of increasing to B60. This must be done and it is an initial effort,’ he said on the sidelines of the B50 Mandatory Launch event at KM 57 Rest Area of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road, quoted on Friday (10/7/2026).
The implementation of B50 is projected to save up to Rp 177 trillion in foreign exchange and absorb 2.1 million workers across Indonesia. From an environmental perspective, the programme is claimed to be able to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 44 million metric tons of CO2, coinciding with the cessation of diesel imports, particularly the C48 type.
‘Thank God, today we have all witnessed the launch of the B50 programme. With the launch of B50, thank God, we will no longer import diesel from other countries,’ he added.
The government has provided a three-month transition period for fuel business entities to use up remaining B40 stocks before they are required to fully distribute B50 by 1 October 2026. Regarding pricing, the government guarantees that the retail price of subsidised Biosolar will not increase, remaining at Rp 6,800 per litre.
‘For B50, the price for domestic consumption, especially the subsidised portion, remains at Rp 6,800. So there is no price increase, and this is part of our strategy to push for net zero emissions,’ he stressed.
In his remarks, President Prabowo emphasised that the current B50 achievement should not lead to complacency in innovation. He encouraged Pertamina to push forward towards B60.
‘Thank you to the scientists from universities, continue this research. Thank you Pertamina, do not stop at B50, aim for B60 if possible,’ he stated during the B50 Mandatory Launch event.
Prabowo also announced that he would award the Bintang Kehormatan (Star of Honour) to parties who successfully implemented the B50 policy.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is indeed a great effort. Thank you. I will also ask the State Secretary for the names of the Energy Minister, Pertamina’s CEO, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Rosan, and those who contributed to achieving B50. I want to give them the Bintang Kehormatan,’ he concluded.