Jakarta: Indonesia’s state-owned energy company PT Pertamina has begun trials on diesel made entirely from palm oil at its Cilacap refinery on Java island, marking another step in the country’s efforts to expand the use of renewable fuels, reported Reuters.
The trial run for the 100% palm oil-based fuel, known as “Green Diesel,” started on January 9 and will continue until January 16, the company said in a statement on Friday. Pertamina had earlier tested a similar palm oil-based jet fuel in late December.
“This trial will continue until the product is fully ready and safe for public use,” said Pertamina spokesperson Hatim Ilwan.
Indonesia, the world’s largest palm oil producer, currently operates a B30 biodiesel programme, which mandates 30% palm oil content in diesel. The government, however, aims to further boost the share of vegetable oil in fuel as part of a broader plan to reduce fossil fuel imports and promote cleaner energy sources.
Plans to increase the blend to B40 have been delayed due to funding challenges and a drop in global fuel prices, which has affected the programme’s economic viability.
Unlike the B30 biodiesel that uses Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), the new Green Diesel is produced from Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized Palm Oil (RBDPO) — a processed form of palm oil that removes impurities, colour, and odour.
Hatim added that the Green Jet Fuel, tested earlier, uses Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized Palm Kernel Oil (RBDPKO), though it is not yet ready for commercial use.
The Cilacap refinery’s biodiesel unit is expected to produce up to 3,000 barrels per day of 100% palm-based fuel once operational.
While biodiesel is seen as a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels, environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact of expanding palm oil cultivation, particularly regarding deforestation and land-use change.
