If RDMP Balikpapan is already operating, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources emphasizes that there will be no imports of solar in 2026

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia again emphasized that there are no plans to import solar by 2026.

Bahlil said that in 2026, if the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan is operational, then the domestic supply of solar is expected to be sufficient.

"Our agenda in 2026 is that there will be no more solar imports," said Bahlil, in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Monday, December 29.

He further explained that solar imports would not be carried out if the domestic supply was sufficient. However, if it is not ready, temporary imports will likely be carried out so that the availability of national energy is not disrupted.

"But it depends on Pertamina. If it says it can only be in March, that means January, February which may be a little, maybe a little we can exercise (calculate). But that is again I exercise. But if it says January, February does not need to import, no need to, what is the import? But if the need is indeed, say if we are not ready, yes we rather than there is no," he said.

Regarding the quality of solar fuel, Bahlil said the government was ready to improve the quality of solar fuel.

"His efforts will go there. We will continue to do our best," said Bahlil.

Previously, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia reported to President Prabowo Subianto that Indonesia would no longer import solar starting in 2026.

Bahlil said this could be realized as the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, began operating.

With the operation of the refinery, he said, domestic solar production is expected to meet national needs without the need for imports.

In addition to RDMP, the government also continues to encourage the development of a biofuel program through the B50 biodiesel policy.

He said the combination of production from RDMP and the implementation of B50 is expected to create an oversupply of solar, so that Indonesia has the potential to export the fuel in the future.

The combination of production from RDMP and the implementation of B50 is expected to create an excess supply (oversupply) of solar, so that Indonesia has the potential to export the fuel in the future.