April 19, 2026 | 08:48 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman announced that Indonesia is set to terminate diesel imports effective July 1, 2026, coinciding with the rollout of the palm oil-based 50 percent biodiesel (B50) program.
"We will no longer import diesel. On July 1, 2026, we will cease imports as B50 enters the market," Amran stated at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) in Surabaya on Sunday, April 19, 2026, as reported by Antara.
This move, according to Amran, underscores the government's commitment to bolstering national energy independence by leveraging palm oil as a primary alternative fuel source.
The Minister explained that palm oil’s potential extends beyond diesel, noting its rapid development into gasoline and ethanol. "This is the future of Indonesian energy, derived from palm oil. It becomes diesel, and it also becomes gasoline," he remarked.
Furthermore, the government is finalizing a partnership with PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV (PTPN IV) to develop palm oil-based gasoline on a pilot scale before transitioning toward industrial-scale production.
"If this succeeds, we will expand on a massive scale. Indonesia's future looks promising," Amran added.
During his visit, Amran also inspected several ITS technological innovations, specifically electric tractors hailed for their cost-effectiveness and efficiency. The Ministry of Agriculture promptly ordered 10 units for field testing, citing their reliance on electric power rather than conventional diesel.
"The production cost for these tractors is half the usual rate. They are highly effective, using electricity instead of diesel, which makes them very cost-effective," he noted.
Minister Amran was in Surabaya to deliver the keynote address at the 133rd graduation ceremony for doctoral, master’s, and engineering professional programs at Grha ITS.
Read: Fuel Price Hike: Lawmaker Accuses Gov't of False Hope
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