“We will no longer import diesel. Per July 1, 2026, we will stop (diesel import), as B50 comes into effect,” Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) here on Sunday.
According to him, the move is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen national energy independence by utilizing palm oil as an alternative fuel.
He explained that palm oil can be processed not only into diesel but also into gasoline and ethanol, whose development is currently being accelerated.
“This is Indonesia’s future energy, as it is sourced from palm oil. Palm oil can become diesel, and it can also become gasoline,” he said.
In addition, the government is preparing cooperation with state-owned plantation firm PTPN IV to develop palm oil-based gasoline on a small scale before expanding it into a large-scale industry.
“If this succeeds, we will expand it on a large scale. Indonesia’s future is bright,” he said.
During the visit, Sulaiman also reviewed several technological innovations developed by ITS, including an electric tractor considered more efficient and cost-effective. The Agriculture Ministry has ordered 10 units for trial use, as the tractors do not rely on diesel fuel but instead use electricity.
“The tractors developed here cost half the usual price. They are efficient, as they do not use diesel but electricity. This makes them highly economical,” he said.
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Translator: Willi, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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