Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka announced that President Prabowo Subianto is setting a clear target for Indonesia to begin producing Biodiesel 50 (B50), a fuel blend comprising 50 percent fossil diesel and 50 percent palm oil. The move is part of the government’s broader push to transition away from fossil fuels and toward cleaner, emission-free energy sources, reported Antara news.
Speaking at the Green Impact Festival in Jakarta on Thursday, Raka emphasized that B50 is a key component of a national program designed to speed up the country’s shift to renewable energy. “We already have B35 and B40 in place, but the president is now aiming for B50,” he said. “We will also develop other biofuels like bioavtur, bioethanol, and biodiesel. Our bioenergy potential is massive—up to 57 gigawatts. When it comes to palm oil and seaweed, we rank among the world’s largest producers.”
Raka highlighted various energy transition initiatives currently underway, including support for electric vehicles and the development of waste-to-energy power plants (PLTSa). He noted that a dedicated Waste Management Acceleration Task Force is working on setting up such facilities in 12 cities.
“Two pilot projects are already operating—one in Surabaya, producing 12 megawatts, and another in Solo with an 8-megawatt capacity. Both were built when I was serving as mayor. God willing, the remaining 12 cities will follow soon,” he said.
Underscoring the urgency of the transition, Raka pointed to the climate crisis as a global threat that is already impacting lives and livelihoods, both in Indonesia and around the world. “This is not just about Indonesia. Climate change is affecting every part of the planet,” he told the young audience at the festival.
He cited extreme droughts, flooding, sea level rise, and crop failures as visible consequences of a warming planet—issues that are already confronting Indonesia.
“The threats are no longer abstract; they’re happening right in front of us. We must act now,” he urged.
