Lampung Begins Building Bioethanol Ecosystem, Relying on Sorghum for Energy Security
The Lampung Provincial Government, alongside several stakeholders, has begun building a bioethanol ecosystem as part of an effort to strengthen national energy security and encourage the downstreaming of the agricultural sector.
This initial step was marked by the launch of the Bioethanol Development Center in the Masgar area, Teginenlareng District, Pesawaran Regency, on Monday (14/09/2026). The event comprised three main agendas: the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) between parties, the symbolic planting of sorghum, and the commencement of construction for bioethanol facilities on 10 hectares of land, with a target expansion to 20 hectares.
The programme is a follow-up to the signing of the Joint Declaration in Establishing Bioethanol Ecosystem Development in Lampung Province. The collaboration involves the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), the Lampung Provincial Government, PT Pertamina New and Renewable Energy (PNRE), PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN), PT Toyota Tsusho Indonesia (TTI), and several other stakeholders.
The Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, Todotua Pasaribu, stated that the development of bioethanol is closely linked to energy security, downstreaming, energy transition, energy mix, and the strengthening of the national economy. “Today, we are discussing energy security, downstreaming, energy transition or energy mix, and economic resilience,” said Todotua.
According to him, Indonesia possesses great potential in the development of biofuels due to its abundant natural resources. He noted that sorghum is one of the commodities with the potential to be developed as a raw material for bioethanol. This development has also been a focus of various research, including within the automotive sector.
“Bioethanol raw materials and resources are actually very abundant domestically; it simply depends on whether the relevant institutions are willing to empower them,” he said. Todotua mentioned that the need for ethanol development is becoming increasingly important alongside the high consumption of petrol in Indonesia. “Petrol usage in our country is 36 million [litres/units] per year, so the development of ethanol is highly necessary,” he added.
The bioethanol ecosystem being built in Lampung is designed to bring together the agricultural, industrial, technological, investment, and community sectors into a single economic chain based on renewable energy.
The Governor of Lampung, Rahmat Mirzani Djausal, stated that the construction of the Bioethanol Development Center is a vital step in optimising the energy and agricultural potential in Lampung. “We heard about this some time ago, but today we are preparing the supporting facilities. I appreciate the work being done by the ministry, Pertamina, and Toyota,” said Rahmat.