JAKARTA – President Prabowo Subianto has envisioned an energy self-sufficiency for Indonesia based on bioenergy. Apparently his favorite of raw material to produce the bioenergy is not palm oil as many had expected, but aren palm (Arenga Pinnata).

The aren palm is a native species of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, which is considered as a “miracle tree” as almost all of its parts from leaves to roots can be utilized to make products of economic value. Its versatility is mainly shown by its sap, which can be used to produce palm wine and bioethanol.

Forest Minister Raja Juli Antoni revealed it after visiting a plantation of aren palm in Cisarua village Garut of regency in West Java on Saturday (10/05/2025). “President Prabowo has been long a fan of aren palm. He calls this plant as a favorite plant because all of its parts are beneficial,” said Raja Juli on Monday (12/05/2025).

According to Raja Juli, Prabowo sees the big potential of aren palm in various sectors, including in energy resilience, renewable energy, and cosmetic products.

“Aren palm can become the source of raw material for food industries, and can be used as raw material to produce energy, and even for cosmetic industries. It’s a very versatile plant,” he said.

One of its main benefits that are being highlighted is its function as raw material to produce bioethanol.
Raja Juli said that if cultivated with good agricultural practices, one hectare of aren palm can produce up to 24,000 kilolitres of bioethanol.

With such potential, Prabowo sees aren palm as an important alternative to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on the import of fossil fuels. “If we can seriously cultivate the aren palm, we can make it a solution to our energy problem and support our plan to reach our energy self-sufficiency,” said Raja Juli.

The minister said his visit to the plantations of aren palm is part of the government’s steps to develop available strategic plants in Indonesia that can be used to support national energy resilience in the future. (*)