DIGIVESTASI - The government is preparing to implement the Biodiesel Blend Fuel program with a 40% blend (B40), which is scheduled to be applied starting January 1, 2025. The Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Yuliot, assured that the B40 program will be successfully carried out.

"Today, our team is checking the readiness for implementing B40, which will begin at the start of the next year. The Minister of ESDM has issued a decision regarding this implementation, and we have observed the readiness of the Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) industry as the biofuel material," Yuliot stated during his visit to the Pertamina Refinery Unit II Dumai, Riau, as quoted from the ESDM Ministry's website on Sunday (December 29, 2024).

Yuliot explained that to support the mandatory implementation of B40, the demand for biodiesel is expected to reach 15.6 million kiloliters per year. This figure includes distribution across all of Indonesia, so the readiness of raw materials and supply chains must be prioritized.

The ESDM Ministry is also open to feedback from various companies to ensure the smooth implementation of B40. Yuliot mentioned that the main challenges in implementing B40 are not only related to the availability of raw materials but also Indonesia’s diverse geographical factors.

"We hope to receive input from Pertamina Patra Niaga and other business entities regarding the challenges of implementing B40, such as in areas with extreme temperatures like Dumai, which is hot, or highland areas with lower temperatures. These factors need attention, both from Pertamina and other companies that will be implementing the B40 program," Yuliot explained.

PT Pertamina (Persero) has prepared two main refineries to support B40 production, namely Refinery Unit III in Plaju, Palembang, and Refinery Unit VII in Kasim, Papua. The biodiesel blending with vegetable-based fuel will be carried out by Pertamina Patra Niaga.

"In general, our refineries produce B0 fuel, and, God willing, they will be ready to produce B40. The refineries that will produce B40 are RU III Plaju and RU VII Kasim, while blending will be done by Patra Niaga," said the Operations Director of PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI), Didik Bahagia.

In addition to B40, Pertamina has also successfully produced biojet fuel or Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with a 2.4% palm oil-based fuel blend. SAF production takes place at the Green Refinery in Cilacap using the co-processing method.

"We can process bioavtur at a capacity of up to 9,000 barrels per day (bpd), using raw material Refined Bleached Deodorized Palm Kernel Oil (RBDPKO), a derivative product of palm oil. Trials have been conducted using Garuda Indonesia’s Boeing 737-800, for the Jakarta-Solo round trip route," Didik explained.

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