(Jakarta, 10th) Indonesian President Prabowo officially announced the launch of the B50 biodiesel program on the 9th. Starting from July 1, Indonesia will implement a mandatory B50 biodiesel blending policy, raising the blend ratio of palm oil biodiesel in diesel fuel from 40% to 50%.
According to China News Service, at the launch ceremony for the program held in West Java Province, Prabowo stated that the B50 program is not only a technological achievement but also an important step for Indonesia toward energy self-sufficiency.
The B50 initiative is a key measure for Indonesia to promote its energy transition. Data from Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics shows that from January to May this year, Indonesia's total oil and gas imports reached US$17 billion, with single-month imports in May amounting to US$4.51 billion. Due to insufficient domestic refining capacity and aging refining facilities, Indonesia still needs to import large quantities of crude oil and refined oil products to meet domestic energy demand.
With the implementation of the B50 program, Indonesia will no longer import diesel this year, saving a huge amount of foreign exchange.
Palm oil is not only an essential edible oil raw material for Indonesia, but also the main raw material for biodiesel production. As the world's largest palm oil producer, Indonesia hopes to leverage its resource advantages, use palm oil biodiesel to replace some fossil fuels, reduce diesel imports, and simultaneously increase the added value of its palm oil industry.
At the beginning of 2025, Indonesia began implementing the B40 policy. The Indonesian government stated that B50 has completed the relevant technical tests and is ready for full-scale promotion.