18/08/2024 (Antara), Jakarta - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman conducted a trial on the implementation of B50 biodiesel in South Kalimantan on Sunday.

This trial is a crucial step toward achieving national energy independence, aligned with Indonesia's vision for a sustainable energy future.

"In this trial, the B50 showed a promising result. The engine also sounds good," he conveyed after the biodiesel trial and soft launch at the PT Jhonlin Agro Raya Biodiesel Factory in Batulicin, South Kalimantan, on Sunday.

According to Sulaiman, the trial marks a historic milestone in Indonesia's pursuit of energy independence, a goal the nation aims to achieve within the next five to ten years.

The minister believed that the need for palm-oil based biodiesel in the future will grow larger, especially for domestic consumption in realizing national energy security.

Based on data from the Directorate General of Plantations Statistics in 2023, the palm oil plantation has an area of 16.8 million hectares with a production of 46.9 million tons.

Meanwhile, renewable energy has continued to be implemented by the government since the use of B15 in 2015, B20 in 2019, B30 in 2022, and B35 which has been implemented since 2023.

Sulaiman noted that through the national energy priority programs, including the implementation of B50 biodiesel and E10 bioethanol, the government aims to increase biofuel usage and reduce crude oil and fuel imports.

He said that the government has initiated the use of palm oil in the biodiesel program since 2019 with a prototype for developing biodiesel made from 100 percent palm oil (B100).

Sulaiman expressed confidence that other ministries, technical institutions, and biodiesel industry players have also developed and tested biodiesel prototypes, although their use is currently limited to internal consumption.

He emphasized that the current food power is in Indonesia, including biodiesel.

This potential must be managed properly since Indonesia controls 58 percent of the world's crude palm oil (CPO).

That way, B-50 will have an economic and political impact. For example, European countries need 2,6 million kilo liters per year.

"Our target is to prepare for the implementation of the use of B50 biodiesel. This soft launching activity will be a historical record as a pioneer in the utilization of B50 in the country," the minister remarked.

https://en.antaranews.com/news/322851/b50-biodiesel-test-yields-positive-results-in-s-kalimantan