Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Tests B50 Biodiesel for Heavy Mining Equipment, Here Are the Results
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has completed testing the use of Vegetable-Based Fuel (BBN) in the form of 50% biodiesel (B50) in the heavy mining equipment sector. The results indicate that B50 can strengthen national energy resilience amid global geopolitical conditions.
Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (Dirjen EBTKE) of the Ministry of ESDM, Eniya Listiani Dewi, explained that the operational and technical results from the testing were in line with expectations.
She noted that the current use of B50 in diesel engines shows no significant disruptions to engine performance or field operations.
“Overall, the interim results of testing B50 use in diesel engines in the mining sector show stable performance and no significant disruptions to the engines were found. This is a positive indication that biodiesel can be relied upon to support industrial sector operations,” she stated in an official remark, quoted on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
The testing covered fuel quality checks, engine performance, operational durability, and storage stability. By the end of March 2026, engine durability had exceeded 900 hours of operation without any indications of damage or disruptions caused by the vegetable-based fuel quality.
Although there was an increase in fuel consumption of around 3.12% compared to B40, this figure is considered within reasonable limits and does not significantly affect heavy equipment productivity.
Additionally, B50 fuel has met the agreed specifications, including parameters for water content, oxidation stability, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) content.
“The development of B50 is an important step in promoting national energy independence. By utilising domestic resources, we not only strengthen energy resilience but also add value to the national economy,” Eniya revealed.
On the other hand, General Manager Plant of PT Harmoni Panca Utama (HPU), Rochman Alamsjah, disclosed that his company had conducted direct testing by comparing the performance of two units of heavy equipment using B40 and B50.
“Currently, we have been running for approximately 1,000 hours, comparing the performance of two HD785 Komatsu units, one consuming B40 and the other B50. So far, up to nearly 1,000 hours on the hour meter, engine performance has not been an issue, although there are some minor notes regarding fuel consumption still fluctuating 1-3% higher for B50,” he explained.
Thus, the implementation of B50 is a continuation of the success of the B40 programme that has been running nationally since early 2025.
The government plans to expand the series of tests to other sectors, from transportation, power generation, to railways, to ensure technical standard readiness before this policy is implemented nationwide.