Indonesia’s shift toward zero-emission energy took the spotlight this week as experts from seven countries gathered at IPB University to discuss advances in biomass and bioenergy, reports Bioenergy Insight.
The 10th International Conference on Bioenergy and Biomass (ICBB) was held at the IPB International Convention Centre in Bogor on August 4–5, organised by the university’s Surfactant and Bioenergy Research Centre (SBRC) in partnership with the International Society for Biomass and Bioenergy.
“Our theme reflects Indonesia’s future energy needs — securing supply through the sustainable use of biomass and bioenergy,” said Dr. Meika Syahbana Rusli, SBRC Chair at IPB University.
A major focus was the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), seen as both an opportunity and a challenge for the country. Dr. Meika noted that while Indonesia has made progress in biodiesel production, SAF faces technical, economic, and logistical hurdles. “Our roadmap is ambitious: 1% of total fuel from SAF by next year, 2.5% by 2030, and 5% by 2035. These targets will not be easy to achieve,” he said.
SBRC is working on technology to turn solid biomass into bio-oil through gasification, which has drawn interest from Airbus Singapore. With supplies of lipid-based feedstocks for SAF expected to decline by 2030, biomass could become the primary raw material.
Edi Wibowo, Director of Bioenergy at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said the government is preparing new regulations to speed up bioenergy growth. “We want to maximise this potential to strengthen national energy independence and security,” he said.
IPB University Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Agromaritime Development, Prof. Ernan Rustiadi, said Indonesia’s biodiversity offers vast opportunities for conversion into bioenergy.
Arfie Thahar from the Plantation Fund Management Agency pointed to a successful 2024 trial of “bioavtur,” using palm kernel oil blended at 2.4%, on a Garuda Indonesia flight from Jakarta to Solo.
