JAKARTA, May 16 — The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has set a target for the mandatory use of five per cent bioethanol (E5) in fuel blends, which will begin in 2026.
Xinhua reported the ministry's new renewable energy and energy conservation director-general Eniya Listiani Dewi as saying that the mandate will be implemented gradually, starting with Java Island.
The phased implementation of E5 is due to limited bioethanol supply. While Indonesia has 13 sugar and supporting industries, only three currently produce ethanol that meets fuel-grade specifications.
“Only three industries can produce fuel-grade ethanol, with a total output of 60,000 kilolitres," Dewi said today.
Indonesia will require one million to 1.2 million kilolitres annually to meet the five per cent bioethanol mandate. The government plans to address this gap by boosting production from ethanol-producing sources, including sugarcane, cassava, and palm sugar.
The move aligns with Indonesia's broader goal of reducing fossil fuel dependency and transitioning to clean energy to curb carbon emissions.
— Bernama
