Castor oil to be developed

YOGYAKARTA: In a bid to cut down high dependency on petroleum- based fuels, state oil and gas company PT Pertamina and state electricity company PT PLN will jointly work to develop an oil produced from castor beans as an alternative fuel starting next year.

Director general of electricity and energy resources, Yogo Pratomo, said the companies would develop oil from the beans of the tree locally called pohon jarak (Jathropha curcas), to be used for public transportation vehicles and diesel generators.

"The government is serious about this plan. We also plan to involve other ministries, like the Ministry of Agriculture and the Office of the State Minister of Research and Technology," Yogo said on Tuesday.

Apart from cutting down dependency on petroleum-based fuel, he said the castor oil was expected to ensure a safe supply of fuel and efficient use of energy.

His office, he said, has planted jarak in several places like Banten and East Nusa Tenggara to ensure enough supply. -- JP