Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Expressed Indonesia's Steps To Suppress Fuel Imports

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif revealed Indonesia's move to reduce imports of fuel oil (BBM).

Arifin said that in 2022, Indonesia's fuel consumption was more than 1,100 MBOE, an increase of about 30 percent compared to 2012, this was due to strong demand from the industrial and transportation sectors.

Meanwhile, fuel needs still come from increasing imports.

Gasoline imports increased from about 123 million barrels in 2015 to 138 million barrels in 2022.

"To reduce dependence on imported fuels, as well as to achieve national energy security and support sustainable development, the government promotes sustainable and accessible local energy sources, such as biofuels," Arifin said in his remarks at the Sustainable Mobility Etanol Talk 2023, Monday, October 9.

He explained that the implementation of the biofuel program was also intended to reduce emissions by 31.9 percent under business as usual (BAU) by 2030, support the agricultural-based domestic economy, meeting the target of 23 percent of the renewable energy share in the National.

Meanwhile, he said, the government had also set a mandatory program for developing biofuel through a Ministerial Regulation in 2015.

"Last November 2022, President Joko Widodo has launched a bioethanol sugarcane program for energy security in Mojokerto, East Java," he said.

Furthermore, he conveyed, to support the sustainability of the future Bioethenol Mandate, the government has issued a Presidential Decree in 2023 concerning the Acceleration of National Sugar Swasembada and the Provision of Bioethenol for Nabati Fuel (Biofuel) as well as conducting studies on the use of various raw materials, especially non-food.

Due to limited raw materials for molasses and food conflicts, according to him, the government is encouraging the development of biofuels based on local potentials that are more feasible and will create new markets for local agricultural products.

"Almost all of our regions have local resources that can be used as bioethenol fuel. However, it requires a comprehensive study to be developed commercially. The government and relevant stakeholders are currently conducting a study or pilot project for the development of bioethenol based on local potential," he concluded. Arifin.