Jakarta: Indonesia’s state-owned fuel distributor PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has commenced nationwide distribution of B50 biodiesel following the official launch of the programme by President Prabowo Subianto on July 9.
B50 is a blend comprising 50% palm oil-based Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and 50% conventional diesel. The Indonesian government has introduced the higher biodiesel blend to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthen the country’s energy security, Tempo reported.
Pertamina Patra Niaga has completed its first B50 deliveries, transporting a total of 12,830 kilolitres (KL) from two refineries.
The first shipment, comprising 4,600 KL, departed from the Kasim Refinery on July 18 aboard the tanker MT Krasak. A second consignment of 8,230 KL was dispatched from the Plaju Refinery to the Integrated Terminal Palembang on July 22.
Pertamina Patra Niaga Vice President of Corporate Communication Kitty Andhora said the initial deliveries marked an important milestone in implementing the government’s B50 mandate.
“The first B50 shipments from the Kasim and Plaju refineries mark Pertamina Patra Niaga’s concrete contribution to strengthening Indonesia’s energy independence, resilience and sovereignty through the implementation of the government’s B50 programme,” Andhora said in a statement.
The company said B50 fuel will be supplied to retail fuel stations across western and eastern Indonesia. Ahead of the rollout, Pertamina completed the necessary infrastructure upgrades and put in place quality assurance and operational safety measures to support nationwide distribution.
According to the company, diesel and FAME are blended in stages until the required 50:50 ratio is achieved. The fuel is then tested in laboratories to ensure compliance with standards prescribed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources before being transported to fuel terminals and distributed to service stations.
Pertamina said the B50 programme is expected to reduce Indonesia’s reliance on imported diesel while contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions through greater use of domestically produced biofuel.
