Pertamina prepares supporting infrastructure for bioethanol policy

Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - The Director of Retail Marketing at Pertamina Patra Niage, Eko Ricky Susanto, is preparing infrastructure to support the mandatory bioethanol policy, or ethanol-based petrol, through the distribution of Pertamax Green 95.

“This (Pertamax Green 95) represents the readiness of Pertamina Patra Niaga to eventually utilise ethanol within its gasoline products,” Eko stated during a media briefing in Yogyakarta on Friday.

Currently, the distribution of Pertamax Green 95 is concentrated on the island of Java.

Eko noted that the government is currently refining the policy for bioethanol implementation. He estimates that within the next one to two years, all petrol products will be ethanol-based.

Consequently, Pertamax Green 95 serves as a component of the transition towards ethanol-based petrol.

“This is also part of the energy transition, specifically the use of plant-based ethanol for fuel, particularly for gasoline,” Eko added.

The government aims to implement a 10 per cent ethanol blend in fuel (E10) starting in 2027 as an initial stage before transitioning to E20.

Currently, the relevant studies are nearing completion and will serve as the basis for developing the E20 implementation roadmap, which is targeted to take place gradually between 2028 and 2029.

According to Bahlil, the policy of blending ethanol into petrol aims to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on fuel imports, particularly for gasoline.