Implementation Of B30 Is Believed To Save Foreign Exchange Of IDR 63 Trillion

President Jokowi witnessed B30 refueling. (Photo: Presidential Press Bureau)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has officially started the implementation of the 30 percent biodiesel or B30 program. The President said that he was monitoring the B30 implementation program continuously from day to day. He also considered that the biodiesel blending program with biofuels was not enough to stop at B30.

"For me, it is not enough just to get to B30, but I have given orders to the Minister and President Director of Pertamina to enter B40 next year and in early 2021 also enter B50," said the President at the inauguration ceremony which was held at Pertamina gas stations 31.128.02 at Jalan MT Haryono, South Jakarta, Monday 23 December.

The implementation of the B30 program actually began in early 2020, but was accelerated to the end of 2019. The Head of State explained three reasons for the government to continue to accelerate the implementation of this biodiesel program.

First, the program is a form of effort to find new and renewable energy sources. According to him, Indonesia must break away from dependence on fossil energy, which one day will inevitably run out.

"The development of new and renewable energy also proves our commitment to protecting the planet, maintaining clean energy by reducing carbon gas emissions, and to improving environmental quality. This is clean energy," he said.

Second, Indonesia's dependence on imports of fuel oil (BBM), including diesel in it, is quite high. Meanwhile, on the other hand, Indonesia is also the largest palm oil producing country in the world.

"With such a large potential for palm oil, we have many sources of biofuel as a substitute for diesel fuel. We must exploit this potential to support our national energy security and independence," he explained.

The President emphasized that efforts to reduce imports, especially diesel, must be carried out seriously. Through the implementation of the B30 program, the President believes the government can save a lot of foreign exchange.

"The calculation is also that we consistently apply this B30 which will save foreign exchange of approximately Rp. 63 trillion. This is a very large amount," he said.

Third, the application of B30 will also create a very large domestic demand for crude palm oil (CPO). According to the President, the implementation of B30 will also have multiple effects on the 16.5 million oil palm farmers and planters.

"This means that the B30 program will have an impact on small and medium planters, smallholders who have been producing oil palm, and workers who work in oil palm factories," he explained.

In addition, with the implementation of the B30 biodiesel program to enter B40, B50, and B100 later, Indonesia will not be easy to be suppressed by other countries. As is known, Indonesia's CPO exports often face challenges in the form of negative campaigns, for example from the European Union.

"Especially through negative campaigns conducted by several countries towards our CPO exports because we have a very large domestic market," he concluded.

President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero) Nicke Widyawati in his press release stated that Pertamina had taken quick steps by conducting trials for the distribution of B30 since November 2019 in several major cities including Palembang, South Sumatra, Yogyakarta, Central Java, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan to Sorong. , Papua.

"Pertamina has prepared 28 TBBM (fuel oil terminals) as a mixing point for B30, which will later be distributed to all Pertamina gas stations throughout Indonesia. People can enjoy B30 through biodiesel and Dexlite products," said Nicke.