Academics Of Government Appreciation Reduces Dependence On Fossil Energy Through BMM Mixed Etanol

JAKARTA - A number of academics in Medan support the government's program to reduce carbon emissions in order to achieve the Net Zero Emission 2060 target, one of which is through fuel mixed with ethanol, namely Pertamax Green 95.

Economist from the Islamic University of North Sumatra (UISU) Gunawan Benjamin said the ethanol industry not only benefits big companies but also expands job opportunities at the community level.

"Development of ethanol is not just talking about the industries involved. There are people who are excited again to plant producing plants that can be used as ethanol," Gunawan said in a discussion in Medan, Tuesday, November 11.

Pertamax Green 95 with a content of 5 percent Bioethenol (E5) has been commercialized by Pertamina Patra Niaga for two years. This product prioritizes domestic raw materials by utilizing the sugar paste which is processed into bioethanol fuel grade from local suppliers in Mojokerto, East Java (East Java).

Therefore, Gunawan hopes that strengthening the ethanol industry will create stability in agricultural commodity prices, especially sugar cane, cassava, corn, and corn bongkol which so far have no high economic value. The involvement of farmers, small collectors, and MSME actors is expected to expand the local economic base.

He added that the increase in the use of ethanol has a great opportunity to suppress energy imports which have been burdening fiscal. He emphasized that the government needs to consistently maintain the momentum of the energy transition.

If ethanol is added to its portion, our energy import needs will decrease. There is a budget allocation that can be used for other more productive things," he said.

In line with Gunawan, an energy expert at the University of North Sumatra (USU), Warjio MA, Ph.D., welcomed the government's policy to increase the mix of ethanol in fuel oil (BBM) from 5 percent to 10 percent by 2025.

According to him, this is a strategic effort to reduce Indonesia's dependence on fossil energy while strengthening national energy security.

"I think the addition of 10 percent of ethanol in fuel in the next year can be achieved. With of course the government's seriousness, strong funding support," said Warjio.

Warjio also encouraged North Sumatra to be an option for the government to become a barn for ethanol basic materials such as in East Java, as long as it was assisted by research and the development of sufficient resources. Because he assessed that the addition of ethanol portions would have a positive environmental and social impact.

Our research center and development must strengthen it. So far, maybe the barn is only in certain areas. But with the strengthening of the research center, other sources from other regions can be revealed. So that it allows sources to be explored, and the interests of the state and society are not in one particular place. Strengthened by partnership with existing universities. I think it should be reproduced," he hoped.

Meanwhile, USU's public policy expert, Fredick Broven Ekayanta, sees ethanol policies in terms of governance and community welfare. Moreover, he said, if the government provides subsidies to the public to produce ethanol, then the potential economic spike in grassroots can be very significant.

"Yes, it must be very good. Because our geographical condition is very supportive for ethanol production, right. Moreover, our community has many farmers in the agricultural and plantation sectors. For example, the government has massive subsidies for them, right, because the resources are in us," said Fredick.

However, he reminded the government to avoid the dominance of big business groups in developing this ethanol. The government must implement pro-people policies and avoid the dominance of large corporations. "Don't let the players be big businessmen anymore. Especially if they are done with business logic, which I think is as usual as business," said Fredick.