Pertamina Eyes Sugarcane to Develop Bioethanol Petrol

PT Pertamina (Persero) is considering sugarcane as a raw material for biofuel (BBN) in the form of petrol, specifically bioethanol, to support the government in realising a 20% ethanol blend in petrol, or E20. “So, besides palm oil, we have started looking at sugarcane, yes, for molasses. We have it for bioethanol in Glenmore, yes,” said SVP Business Sustainability at PT Pertamina (Persero), Wenny Ipmawan, when met on the sidelines of the Sustainability Champions event held in Jakarta on Thursday. Wenny explained that the sugarcane would be processed into bioethanol, such as a 5% bioethanol blend or 5% ethanol mixed with petrol. Currently, he continued, Pertamina has implemented this at Pertamina Green. Looking ahead, Wenny said Pertamina will support the government in realising E20 or a 20% ethanol blend with petrol. Regarding the E20 plan, Pertamina is currently researching various plant sources that can be used as raw materials. This research also considers factors related to raw materials used for food. “Of course, we must balance between what is food grade and what is fuel grade. This also requires government assistance to balance it,” said Wenny. It was previously reported that the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, will accelerate the implementation of the mandatory ethanol blending policy in fuel oil (BBM), in response to the skyrocketing global oil prices reaching over 100 US dollars per barrel. Bahlil previously planned to mandate a 20% ethanol content in fuel oil (BBM) or E20 by 2028 to reduce petrol imports. This policy could be implemented faster depending on the geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East affecting countries still dependent on fossil energy.