Pertamina Confirms Full Readiness for B50 Implementation in July

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Pertamina Patra Niaga’s Director of Downstream and Distribution Optimisation, Hari Purnomo, has affirmed that Pertamina is fully prepared to implement the mandatory B50 biodiesel programme in July 2026. “We, Patra Niaga, God willing, are very ready to support the government’s programme for the implementation of B50,” Hari said at the Plumpang Fuel Terminal in Jakarta on Monday. Hari stated that in terms of infrastructure, Pertamina has ensured readiness from Sabang to Merauke to support the execution of the B50 mandate. He noted that there would be no change in distribution volume compared to the B40 programme. Hari explained that the difference between the two programmes lies in the blend ratio, shifting from a 40 per cent palm oil and 60 per cent diesel mix to a 50 per cent palm oil and 50 per cent diesel mix. “Regarding the price, it will naturally follow the market price at the time the instruction is carried out,” Hari said. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the B50 policy, to be implemented on 1 July, could reduce imports of C48 diesel. He confirmed that the technical implementation of the B50 programme has undergone trial stages and shown good results. As of Thursday, 18 June, the water content in B50 was lower compared to B40, and it has been tested on various vehicles, including heavy equipment, ships, trains, as well as mining excavators and agricultural machinery. The B50 policy is estimated to save the country up to Rp157.28 trillion in foreign exchange this year. Technical testing of B50 for the automotive sector began on 2 December 2025 and is targeted for completion by June 2026. The government is also conducting technical trials on agricultural machinery and mining equipment, which are expected to conclude in the second half of 2026. Testing for the railway and power generation sectors is also underway, though the process has not yet been fully completed.