"Preparations for B50 have been carried out by conducting technical tests. It is currently ongoing and this may take around six months to prepare for technical testing in various sectors," Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation at the ministry Eniya Listiani Dewi said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The trial will cover several sectors such as industry, maritime, mining, agriculture, and automotive.
In addition to technical studies, Dewi said the government has also begun conducting economic studies related to fuel pricing for consumers.
According to her, this was also done for 40 percent biodiesel fuel (B40), which had been implemented on January 1, 2024.
Earlier, ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said that the use of B50 fuel could free Indonesia from reliance on diesel imports.
"While preparing for the implementation of B50 in 2026, we will implement B40 in 2025. If we do this, we hope there will be no more imports of diesel in 2026," Lahadalia added on January 3, 2025.
President Prabowo Subianto has instructed that the use of B50 biofuel be encouraged in 2026 in order to create energy sovereignty.
He said he is optimistic that the implementation of B50 in 2026 will increase Indonesia's energy reserves, in line with the goal of increasing national capability to meet domestic energy needs independently.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia Galuh Prayudhia, Cindy Frishanti Oct
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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