Pertamina Prepares Infrastructure to Support Bioethanol Development

PT Pertamina (Persero) has prepared infrastructure to support the government’s policy of strengthening national energy resilience whilst driving the energy transition through the development of bioethanol-based biofuel (BBN), such as the E5-E20 programme.

“Pertamina has prepared blending infrastructure, fuel terminals and distribution facilities,” said Pertamina’s VP of Corporate Communication, Muhammad Baron, when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Thursday.

Baron said Pertamina is ready to support the government’s policy to develop bioethanol.

Currently, he continued, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has been marketing Pertamax Green 95 at 177 public fuel filling stations (SPBU) spread across several regions of Java Island as part of the phased implementation of bioethanol utilisation.

Pertamax Green 95 is made from a blend of Pertamax and 5 per cent sugarcane-based bioethanol (E5).

“Pertamina also ensures that every product marketed meets the quality standards and specifications set by the government, so that it can be distributed to the public safely and reliably,” said Baron.

Separately, Pertamina’s Deputy Chief Executive, Oki Muraza, revealed that Pertamina is currently building a bioethanol development facility in Glenmore, Banyuwangi, East Java, with a production capacity of 30,000 kilolitres (kl) per year.

The development of the E10 programme is part of the government’s strategy to reduce petrol imports, thereby achieving national energy resilience.

President Prabowo Subianto plans to increase the number of ethanol plants in Indonesia, building at least 30 to 50 factories in an effort to develop fuel with an ethanol blend.

The Head of State cited the example of how India has already reached E20 and Brazil has reached E100.

Looking at those two countries, he expressed optimism that Indonesia can achieve its target of reaching the E20 level.