B50 Programme Ready for Implementation, Bahlil Confident It Will Reduce Diesel Imports

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlress Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that the B50 policy, which is scheduled for implementation on 1 July, could reduce imports of C48-type diesel.

“God willing, we are very optimistic that the implementation and release of B50 will take place on 1 July. Consequently, this will reduce or even eliminate our need to import diesel, specifically C48,” Bahlil said at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office in Jakarta on Thursday.

He confirmed that the technical implementation of the B50 programme has undergone trial stages and has shown positive results. As of today, the water content in B50 is lower compared to B40, and it has been tested in various vehicles, including heavy machinery, ships, and trains, as well as mining equipment, excavators, and agricultural machinery.

On the other hand, the B50 policy is expected to save the country’s foreign exchange reserves by up to Rp157.28 trillion this year. Dwi Anggia, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, explained that the foreign exchange savings from the reduction in diesel imports through the B50 policy this year have increased by approximately 17.9 per cent compared to last year’s savings of Rp133.3 trillion.

The B50 programme also has the potential to create added value for crude palm oil (CPO) amounting to Rp24.68 trillion, absorb 2.21 million workers, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 46.72 million tonnes. Thus, Anggia noted, the implementation of B50 will not only have a positive impact on the trade balance but can also drive economic growth.

A series of B50 trials has been conducted since last year. Technical testing for the automotive sector began on 2 December 2024 and is targeted for completion by June 2026. Furthermore, the government is still conducting technical tests on agricultural machinery and mining equipment, which are targeted for completion in the second half of 2026.

The government is also continuing technical testing of B50 for the railway sector and power plants, although the process is not yet fully complete. “Even though technical testing stages are still ongoing in several sectors, we ensure that this implementation will be carried out simultaneously,” added Anggia.