Jakarta: Indonesia aims to increase ethanol blending in petrol to 50% (E50) over the coming years as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported fuels, President Prabowo Subianto said on October 21, VOI reported.
Speaking at a plenary cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Prabowo outlined a phased plan to expand ethanol use, starting with E10 this year and targeting E20 within the next two years, followed by E50 two years later.
“The world oil price is rising and will rise. We are grateful that we have many other energy sources,” Prabowo said, highlighting the country’s potential to develop alternative energy sources amid rising global oil prices.
He said Indonesia could draw on its coal, geothermal resources and plant-based feedstocks to strengthen domestic energy supplies. The government has already reached a 50% biodiesel blending target, known as B50, which combines 50% biodiesel with conventional diesel.
The next priority is to expand ethanol blending in petrol. “We have reached B50 and now we will fight for ethanol to become E50,” the President said.
Prabowo said the country could achieve E10 blending this year, with E20 targeted within two years and E50 expected two years after that.
“Maybe this year we can only reach E10, maybe two years later we hope for E20 and two years after that we hope to reach E50,” he said.
The President said the combination of E50 ethanol and B50 biodiesel could substantially reduce Indonesia’s reliance on imported fuels.
“At the time of E50 and B50, we will not need to import fuel from outside anymore,” he said.
However, Prabowo did not provide details on the ethanol production capacity required to meet the targets, the availability of feedstocks, the investment needed or the industrial infrastructure necessary to support the proposed expansion.
He also addressed food security during the meeting, identifying it as an important component of Indonesia’s strategy to manage global uncertainties.
The proposed ethanol blending programme signals Indonesia’s intention to expand the use of renewable fuels alongside biodiesel as it seeks to strengthen energy security and reduce exposure to international oil price volatility.
