"Throughout 2022, the mandatory B30 biodiesel program has succeeded in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 27.8 million CO2e," director general of new, renewable energy and energy conservation (EBTKE) at the ministry, Yudo Dwinanda Priaadi, said in a statement released here on Wednesday.
"(The decrease was thanks to) the allocation of a biodiesel quota of 11 million kiloliters worth more than US$10 billion," he added.
The biodiesel quota has been set at 13.15 million kiloliters for 2023, and is expected to generate profits of more than US$11.2 billion, he informed.
Priaadi said that the government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in accordance with the global agreement outlined in the Enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (E-NDC) document.
The E-NDC document states that Indonesia is targeting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32 percent, or 358 million tons of CO2e, through its own efforts and 41 percent, or 446 million tons of CO2e, with international assistance by 2030.
To achieve this target, several programs have been implemented by the government, including the use of biomass to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which produce gas emissions, Priaadi pointed out at the Indonesia Sustainable Energy Week 2023 in Jakarta on Tuesday (October 10, 2023).
"Biomass is a new, renewable energy source, which plays an important role in the decarbonization program toward net zero emissions," he said.
Biodiesel is a biomass product that is used as a mixture of diesel fuel for vehicles, he added.
"Biodiesel can be a cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel mixture than conventional fossil fuels, so it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution significantly," he explained.
Biodiesel has been used in Indonesia for more than 17 years, thus making the country a pioneer in the use of biodiesel, he added.
"In February 2023, the mandatory program to mix biodiesel with fossil fuels has been implemented nationally with the percentage reaching 35 percent, or B35, and will continue to be increased until it reaches B100," he said.
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Translator: Kelik Dewanto, Katriana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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