Eddy Soeparno Backs B50 Implementation to Strengthen Indonesia's Energy Independence

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) from the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction, Eddy Soeparno, has expressed support for President Prabowo Subianto’s policy to strengthen national energy independence through the implementation of B50 biodiesel. According to Eddy, increasing the biodiesel mandate from B40 to B50 is a strategic step to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on imported fuel oil, particularly diesel, whilst optimising the country’s own energy resource potential.

"The B50 programme is in line with President Prabowo’s vision to achieve energy sovereignty. Indonesia possesses vast resources and it is time for this potential to be utilised optimally to reduce our dependence on energy imports," Eddy said in a statement on Sunday (12/7/2026). The University of Indonesia political science doctorate holder assessed that B50 also holds significant importance in facing global geopolitical uncertainty, which can impact energy prices and supply. "Geopolitical turmoil shows that dependence on imported energy is a strategic vulnerability. Therefore, President Prabowo’s efforts to strengthen domestic energy production and utilisation must be supported as part of the national energy security and sovereignty agenda," he continued.

Nevertheless, Eddy stressed that the implementation of B50 must be accompanied by thorough preparation so that the policy can run sustainably and provide optimal benefits for the public. Firstly, he said, the government needs to ensure the technical readiness and supporting infrastructure for B50, from production, storage, and distribution to the blending process and compatibility with vehicles and machinery used by the public and the industrial sector. "The increase from B40 to B50 is not merely about raising the biodiesel blend figure. We must ensure the entire ecosystem is ready, including fuel quality, distribution infrastructure, and engine readiness. Quality testing and supervision must be carried out consistently so that the public as consumers receive certainty," he explained.

Secondly, Eddy highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between the need for palm oil for energy, food, and exports. The increased demand for raw materials for B50 must be managed carefully so as not to create pressure on the supply or prices of palm-based food commodities. "Energy policy must be viewed holistically. We certainly want to achieve energy independence, but at the same time we must ensure the public’s food needs are maintained and farmers receive fair benefits," he said.

Thirdly, Eddy asserted that the increase in biodiesel production must not become an excuse to expand plantations at the expense of forests and the environment. According to him, increasing the productivity of existing plantations, including through smallholder palm oil replanting, must be the priority. "B50 must be part of a sustainable energy transition. Therefore, increased production must be driven through productivity, efficiency, and strengthening oil palm farmers, not through land clearing that damages the environment," he stressed.

The PAN deputy chairman also urged that the economic benefits of the B50 policy be felt more widely, particularly by smallholder oil palm farmers and national business players. "The added value from the B50 programme must not be concentrated only on certain groups. Smallholder oil palm farmers must be an important part of the supply chain and obtain real benefits from this policy," he stated. "We support President Prabowo’s grand vision to realise energy sovereignty. B50 is a strategic step in that direction. Our collective task is to ensure its implementation is technically ready, economically robust, fair for the community, and maintains environmental sustainability," Eddy concluded.