To Prevent Capital Outflow, Prabowo Intensifies B50 Biofuel and Solar Power Development

President Prabowo Subianto has introduced a strategy to bolster national energy security, which includes developing a 50% palm oil-based biodiesel blend (B50) and undertaking massive construction of solar power plants (PLTS).

Prabowo shared these plans during a dialogue with senior journalists and experts at Padepokan Garuda Yaksa, Hambalang, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Sunday (6/9/2026), as reported by CNBC Indonesia on Wednesday (16/9/2026).

The restructuring and acceleration of the renewable energy sector are designed to run alongside government efforts to secure national wealth and prevent it from continuously flowing out of the country.

“After that, we must secure our fuel. At the very least, it should not be as bad as many other countries. We achieve this through anticipation and such. We will create B50 from palm oil, and so on, and then move towards large-scale solar energy. We must certainly fix the issue where, for several decades, money has been flowing abroad; this is what we must secure,” said Prabowo, as quoted on Thursday (17/9/2026).

Prabowo highlighted that the primary challenge to the national economy over the last 34 years has been the inability to keep national wealth within the country. This condition has directly impacted the erosion of domestic liquidity due to the prevalence of capital and funds being moved abroad.

“The problem we face is that our national wealth does not stay in Indonesia. How can you expect liquidity if people take their money abroad? Do you understand? 34 years! I have two years to fix these 34 years. But I am not afraid; we will face it,” he asserted.

In addition to boosting B50 clean energy production and solar power to reduce supply dependency and curb capital flight, the government is also pushing for budget efficiency and closing various points of expenditure leakage.

All potential funds resulting from these efficiencies will be reallocated towards investments in productive sectors capable of generating new foreign exchange and creating widespread employment for the community.

“After this, we will certainly implement efficiency and save money that is leaking. Then, we will invest in things that can generate foreign exchange and jobs,” he concluded.