Bahlil: Indonesia No Longer Imports Diesel After B50 Programme Implementation

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced that Indonesia has stopped importing diesel following the implementation of the mandatory B50 biodiesel policy. “With the implementation of B50, alhamdulillah, we are no longer importing diesel products into our country. And this is the first time, Mr President,” Bahlil said during the launch of the B50 Biodiesel Mandatory Programme at KM 57 Rest Area, Karawang Regency, West Java, on Thursday (9/7/2026). Bahlil explained that total domestic diesel consumption is in the range of 38 million to 40 million kilolitres per year. “Initially, we were still importing approximately 3-4 million kilolitres per year,” Bahlil said. Now, he continued, Indonesia no longer imports diesel after the implementation of B50. Bahlil thus emphasised that Indonesia is not only launching B50 but also taking a major step towards greater sovereignty in the energy sector. This achievement aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s Astacita vision regarding energy security. The implementation of B50 in July 2026 was also driven by Prabowo’s directive to Bahlil to enhance energy sovereignty. “We interpret the President’s direction and orders not only as a matter of B50, but as a matter of sovereignty, independence, and national pride so that we can produce energy from our own country,” Bahlil said. President Prabowo Subianto officiated the B50 Biodiesel Mandatory Programme at KM 57 Rest Area, Karawang Regency, West Java, on Thursday. The legal basis for the programme is Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 4 of 2025 concerning the Business and Utilisation of Biofuels and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree Number 257.K/EK.01/MEM.E/2026 concerning the Obligation to Blend 50 Percent Biodiesel Biofuel with Diesel Fuel. The B50 programme mandates a 50 percent biodiesel blend in diesel fuel. In its implementation, biofuel business entities, fuel business entities, and distributing business entities are required to apply quality standards in accordance with established specifications. This policy is part of the government’s strategic agenda to reduce dependence on fuel imports, strengthen the added value of national natural resources, and maintain Indonesia’s economic and energy resilience.