Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources says B50 trial results are quite good

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the results of the B50 biodiesel trial, or fuel blended with 50 per cent crude palm oil and diesel, are quite good.

“Up to today, the trial has, alhamdulillah, been quite good,” Bahlil said at the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta on Monday.

He explained that the B50 trial has been ongoing for nearly six months. The B50 trial has been conducted on heavy equipment, ships, trains, trucks, and other vehicles. Currently, the trial phase is still underway.

“However, it will soon be finalised. And starting 1 July, the implementation of B50 will begin,” Bahlil said.

Bahlil stated that the government has long been promoting alternative energy to reduce dependence on imported commodities.

The current geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East, which has caused a global energy crisis, is evidence of a country’s energy vulnerability if it relies on imports.

“Imagine now if we had no diversification (of energy). Who would we rely on?” Bahlil said.

Currently, the government mandates B40. He said the implementation of the B40 policy has reduced diesel imports by 3.3 million kilolitres (kL) and reduced emissions by 38.88 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Based on data from the Ministry of ESDM, domestic biodiesel utilisation from January to December 2025 is recorded at 14.2 million kilolitres (kL), or equivalent to 105.2 per cent of the Main Performance Indicator (IKU) target set at 13.5 million kL for 2025.

Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto has targeted the implementation of a 50 per cent palm oil blend in fuels like diesel starting in 2025. This statement was made at the Indonesia-Japan business forum in Tokyo on Monday (30/3).

Prabowo said this step will position Indonesia more securely in facing global energy supply uncertainties.

Then, on Tuesday (31/3), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia will implement the B50 policy starting 1 July 2026 to save subsidies worth Rp48 trillion.

He conveyed that Pertamina is ready to implement the policy.

The B50 implementation policy, according to Airlangga, has the potential to reduce the use of fossil fuel oil (BBM) by 4 million kilolitres (kL) in one year.