Prabowo Inaugurates B50, RI Assured Not to Import Solar Anymore

Illustration. (Photo: Dok. Antara)

KARAWANG - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that Indonesia would no longer import solar after the B50 mandatory biodiesel program was officially launched by President Prabowo Subianto today, Thursday, July 9.

In front of Prabowo, Bahlil reported that so far domestic solar consumption has reached 40 million kiloliters (KL) per year with 3-4 million KL imported from abroad.

"Initially we were still importing about 3 to 4 million kiloliters per year. With the implementation of B50, thank God we no longer import solar products to our country. And this is the first time, sir," said Bahlil at the launch of B50 at the Cikampek KM 57A toll rest area, Thursday, July 9.

The Golkar Party Chairman also said that the implementation of B50 could have significant economic and environmental impacts.

He detailed, the B40 program saved foreign exchange by Rp133.3 trillion, and through the B50 Mandate in 2026 it is estimated to increase to around Rp170 trillion.

In addition, B50 is expected to increase the added value of CPO from Rp20.92 trillion to around Rp23.49 trillion.

Not only that, the B50 program also added jobs from 1.8 million people in the B40 and currently increased to around 2.1 million workers.

Not only that, this program is also able to increase the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 39.66 million tons of CO2 to around 44.46 million tons of CO2. So he lowers our CO2 consumption.

For information, the Mandatory Biodiesel B50 Program is contained in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree Number 4 of 2025 concerning the Operation and Utilization of Vegetable Fuel and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree Number 257.K/EK.01/MEM.E/2026 of 2026 concerning the obligation to mix biodiesel by 50 percent in solar oil.

The policy requires a 50 percent blending of biodiesel for all types of fuel in the form of diesel oil.

In its implementation, the vegetable fuel business entity, the oil fuel business entity, and the distributor business entity must implement standards and quality according to the specifications that have been established.

Fuel business entities that do not carry out the mixing obligation, or BBN business entities that do not distribute biodiesel according to the implementation target of 50 percent, may be subject to administrative sanctions in the form of written reprimands, temporary suspension of activities, and/or revocation of business licenses in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations.

To support the implementation transition, fuel business entities are given a transition period until September 30, 2026 to spend biodiesel stocks with B40 mixing specifications.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources will also evaluate the implementation of B50 periodically every three months.