JAKARTA – The ministry of energy and mineral resources (MEMR) said that the government will start implementing the program of palm oil-based biodiesel 35% (B35) on 01 February 2023, upgrading the previous program of B30.
Edi Wibowo, Director of Bioenergy at the directorate general of new, renewable energy and energy conservation of the MEMR, said on Wednesday, 11 January 2023, that they have been conducting preparations for the implementation of the B35 program since the end of September 2022. The preparations include the issuance of several supporting regulations.
According to him, as of 01 February 2023 all oil-gas trading companies (BU BBM) are obliged to supply the biodiesel 35% to the Indonesian public through refueling stations (SPBU). “All BU BBM are obliged to implement the mandatory program of B35. There are now 22 BU BBM which should supply the diesel fuel with cetane number below 51,” he said during a Market Review on Wednesday.
Previously, it was scheduled to be implemented from 01 January 2023. “We’ve initially planned to implement it since 01 January 2023. But then we decided to delay it for one month after considering the fact that all stakeholders still need longer time for preparations. We also need to further intensify socialization of the program,” said Edi.
He expressed the hope that on 01 February 2023 the B35 program can be started as the B35 production capacity of the biodiesel companies are already well prepared and ready to supply the fuel oil retailing companies. “We hope by mid-January or by the end of January it has been transported so that by 01 February 2023 it can be blended with diesel fuel to produce the B35,” he said.
The B35 program is aimed to increase the sustainable supply of clean energy, and decrease import of diesel fuel amid its rising price at the global market which is in danger of seeing crisis. The price of B35 will follow the market price of diesel fuel in Indonesia.
“The price of B35 will depend on the price of diesel fuel at local market,” said Edi.
In line with the implementation of the B35 program, the MEMR has raised the allocation of biodiesel this year by 19% to 13,148,594 kiloliters, from 11,025,604 kiloliters in 2022. (*)
Source: ekbis.sindonews.com
