InfoSAWIT, BATULICIN – Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman did official soft launching for biodiesel program mixture up to 50 percent or known as B50 in South Kalimantan Province. This would be the important history heading to energy independency. It was running at biodiesel mill of PT. Jhonlin Agro Raya, Batulicin, Regency of Tanah Bumbu, Sunday (18/8/2024). This would be the start heading to the big dream of Indonesia to be the barn of food and energy independency for the next five to ten years.
In his speech, Minister Andi emphasized B50 would be the big idea that President Joko Widodo and the next President Prabowo supported. “The two powers – food and energy, would shock the world. Indonesia has the big potential to lead the two sectors,” Minister Amran said, as in the official statement to InfoSAWIT, Tuesday (20/8/2024).
Statistic data from General Directorate of Plantation Ministry of Agriculture mentioned that palm oil plantations in Indonesia laid on about 16,8 million hectares within 46,9 million tons of production in 2023. He said, since 2015, the government has implemented many renewable energy programs, such as, B15, B20, B30, until B35 in 2023. Now the government would be ready to go forward with B50 and bioethanol (E10). It is hoped to reduce the dependence of Inodnesia on crude oil and fossil fuel imports.
‘The soft launching of B50 program would be very significant and strategic. This would be not only solution for Indonesia but also be the political power of economy for the world,” he said. He also emphasized that biodiesel prototype that was from 100% palm oil (B100) has been developed since 2019 even though it is limited to use. The government still prepares every aspect to implement B50 widely.
Amran also said it would be significant to prepare crude palm oil (CPO) supplies, infrastructures, and regulations. Together with Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resource and other institutions, the government still get deeper studies to confirm B50 transition would be successfully running including the road test and roadmap.
Indonesia that produced 58% of CPO production in the world would have the big potential to take advantages on biodiesel as the source of alternative energy sustainably. Amran emphasized B5o would significantly deliver economic advantages, escalate the position bargaining of Indonesia in the globe.
The government would keep cooperating with the private sectors to confirm that CPO would always be available for the domestic needs and exports. Palm oil plantation development for energy sectors would be about to be implemented in the degraded areas so it would not deliver issues for industrial and food needs.
The soft launching was attended by some figures, for instance General Lieutenant (Ret.) Dr. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin; Governor of South Kalimantan, Sahbirin Noor and others. Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman did test drive by using B50. The machine showed maximal performance. (T2)
