INDONESIA president-elect Prabowo Subianto hoped to implement mandatory 50 per cent palm oil-based biodiesel blending by early next year, which he said would cut fuel imports by US$20 billion per year.
Indonesia last week said it planned to raise the blending to 40 per cent in January 2025, from the present 35 per cent concentration in an effort to reduce fuel imports and lower emission from fossil fuels.
Prabowo takes over in October from incumbent Joko Widodo, whose administration has ordered the palm oil industry to prepare for B50. Tests have already started on the higher blending preparation.
“We are at B35 now and we will accelerate to B40, B50,” Prabowo said on Saturday (Aug 24).
“With B50, 50 per cent biodiesel made of palm oil, once we reach B50, that God willing by the end of this year or early next year, we will save US$20 billion a year, we do not need to send this money overseas.”
Previous tests to increase the palm oil blend have typically taken about a year, with lab and road tests conducted. REUTERS
