Prabowo Aims to Mix Indonesian Petrol with 50% Ethanol (E50), Here is the Reason
The government is currently preparing a roadmap for the development of petrol blends containing up to 50% ethanol, known as E50. This move is being undertaken as part of an effort to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on petrol imports.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that the discussion regarding E50 emerged during a National Energy Council (DEN) session as part of the effort to find alternative energy sources amidst uncertain global geopolitical conditions.
“The situation is that during the recent DEN session, we were looking for alternative energy solutions in the face of uncertain global conditions. Today, we cannot place our hopes in other countries, especially regarding energy,” B。《Bahlil said in Jakarta on Monday (21/9/2026).
According to Bahlil, the development of E50 is a continuation of Indonesia’s success in developing biodiesel. Currently, Indonesia has implemented B50 biodiesel, which is diesel fuel mixed with plant-based fuel.
“Building on our success in developing biodiesel, we have now reached B50. It is a mixture of fossil and plant-based fuels. B50 is a mixture of CPO plus methanol, resulting in FAME. Then, FAME is mixed 50% with B0 diesel to produce B50; that is the general logic,” Bahlil explained.
Given this success, the ministry is looking at opportunities to develop ethanol-based fuels for the petrol sector. He noted that several countries, such as Brazil, have developed the use of ethanol as fuel, even up to E100.
“Then, during the DEN meeting, we were searching for alternatives, asking whether we could develop this into E50. Why? Because in Brazil, E100 is already used. In some US states, E100 is also used,” he said.
Bahlil stated that the implementation of E50 is targeted to reduce or even halt dependence on petrol imports, provided that domestic ethanol production can be successfully developed.
“If we can achieve this, our energy security will no longer depend heavily on external sources; that is the core idea. As for when this will be implemented, there is a roadmap that was just decided in the recent DEN session. Our task now is to work with the Directorate General of Oil and Gas to design that roadmap,” Bahlil concluded.