The Ministry Of Energy And Mineral Resources Calls B40 Can Save Foreign Exchange Up To Rp200 Trillion

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

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has completed a road test for the use of B40 fuel on diesel-engine vehicles.

The Directorate of Bioenergy of the Directorate General of EBTKE of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Edi Wibowo, is optimistic that the technical test on B40 will be completed in December.

With this B40, Edi is confident that he can save foreign exchange due to imports of fuel oil (BBM) of up to Rp200 trillion and reduce diesel imports of up to 15 million kiloliters (KL).

"If we don't import diesel oil by 15 million kiloliters (KL), if the price is around Rp. 13,000 multiplied by 15 million KL, which is up to Rp. 200 trillion," he told reporters in Jakarta, Monday, November 21.

Meanwhile, during 2021, through the implementation of B30, Edi continued, the government has distributed 9.3 million KL of palm oil so that it can save the country's foreign exchange for diesel import needs of Rp 66 trillion.

He estimates that the need for B30 in 2023 will reach 37.5 million KL and with the implementation of B40 it can reduce diesel imports by up to 40 percent.

Previously, Director General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) Dadan Kusdiana said, in addition to technical preparation in vehicle engines to be implemented as fuel for B40, the government would also ensure the availability of infrastructure from Pertamina and other business entities related to the blending facility to meet the needs or not.

"Now everything is designed at B30, now B40 is the pipe, it will also need a pump. Yes, it will add 10 percent," concluded Dadan.

Dadan explained about the sufficient supply of BBN for B40.

"(Our BBN supply) is now 16.3 million KL, if B40 needs 15 million KL. So don't worry, we will enter two new factories at the beginning of next year," concluded Dadan.

Just so you know, the fuel formulation used in the B40 road test is B30D10 with a mixture formula of 30 percent Biodiesel or B100 and 10 percent Diesel Nabati.

Meanwhile, what is being tested is the B40 type with a mixture formula of 40 percent of Biodiesel and mixed with 60 percent of Solar.