Fighting Pollution, RI Will Have Low Fuel For Sulfur

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif. (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif revealed that Indonesia will have the latest low- sulfur and environmentally friendly fuel products.

Arifin said this is a government shortage to reduce air pollution from motorized vehicles, which mostly still uses fossil energy.

"Now we have a lot of emissions in our air, so how can we reduce so that we live healthy lives, so the alternative is to use low fuel sulfur," Arifin told the media crew, Friday, July 12.

Arifin said that the government is currently looking for biofuel (BBN) for a fuel mixture that can suppress sulfur content in fuel.

The reason is, the sulfur contained in the fuel used in Indonesia is currently 500 ppm and is targeted to fall below 50 ppm.

"We are looking for mixing materials that can reduce our sulfur content, which is currently still 500 ppm. The standard is Euro 5 below 50 ppm. But towards that there is a cost, and our refinery has not yet been completed in Balikpapan," continued Arifin.

In line with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Head of the Communications, Public Information Service, and Cooperation (KLIK) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Agus Cahyono Adi said, new low fuel sulfur will begin to be introduced on August 17, 2024.

The introductory test of the new fuel product will be carried out in stages at several gas stations. Agus did not mention the name of the new fuel product, but it must be a non-subsidized diesel product owned by PT Pertamina (Persero).

"If the sulfur is low, it will start, but as a pilot, 17 (August) it is a kind of kick-off that wants to start there," said Agus.

"It's still starting at several gas stations. I don't know his name later, I think it's Dex too, which is non-subsidized," concluded Agus.