Pertamina Prepares Infrastructure to Support Bioethanol Development

PT Pertamina (Persero) has prepared infrastructure to support the government’s policy of strengthening national energy security while promoting the energy transition through the development of bioethanol-based biofuels, such as the E5-E20 programme. “Pertamina has prepared blending infrastructure, fuel terminals, and distribution facilities,” said Pertamina VP Corporate Communication Muhammad Baron in Jakarta on Thursday. Baron stated that Pertamina is ready to support the government’s policy to develop bioethanol. He added that PT Pertamina Patra Niaga is currently marketing Pertamax Green 95 at 177 public fuel stations across several regions in Java as part of the phased implementation of bioethanol utilisation. Pertamax Green 95 is a blend of Pertamax and 5 percent sugarcane-based bioethanol. “Pertamina also ensures that every product marketed meets the quality standards and specifications set by the government, so it can be distributed to the public safely and reliably,” Baron said. Separately, Pertamina Vice President Director Oki Muraza revealed that the company is currently building a bioethanol development facility in Glenmore, Banyuwangi, East Java, with a production capacity of 30,000 kilolitres per year. The development of the E10 programme is a government strategy to reduce petrol imports, thereby achieving national energy security. President Prabowo Subianto plans to increase the number of ethanol plants in Indonesia by building at least 30 to 50 factories as part of efforts to develop fuel blended with ethanol. The Head of State cited examples of how India has already achieved E20 and Brazil has reached E100. Looking at these two countries, he expressed optimism that Indonesia can achieve the target of reaching the E20 level.