TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto launched the Mandatory B50 program on Thursday, July 9, 2026, which requires mixing 50 percent biodiesel into diesel fuel sold in Indonesia.
This is expected to reduce Indonesia's dependency on imported diesel fuel, according to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. "With the implementation of B50, alhamdulillah, we will no longer import diesel fuel products into our country," Bahlil said during the B50 program launch event with President Prabowo in Karawang, West Java, on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
According to Bahlil, Indonesia consumes 38-40 million kiloliters of diesel fuel on average per year and imports approximately 3-4 million kiloliters annually to meet the demand.
The 50 percent mix of palm oil-based biodiesel will reduce the need for pure diesel fuel in Indonesia. Through the expansion of the B50 program, he said, domestic production volume will be deemed capable of independently fulfilling the entire domestic market demand.
The Chair of the Golkar Party stated that the government had previously run a six-month trial of Biodiesel B50 before launching it to the public. Testing was conducted in six diesel engine user sectors: automotive, agricultural equipment and machinery, heavy mining equipment, maritime transportation, power generation, and railways. The testing involved ministries and agencies, business entities, associations, academics, technology owners, and industrial users.
The program refers to the Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 4 of 2025 concerning the Business and Utilization of Biofuels and the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 257.K/EK.01/MEM.E/2026 concerning the obligation to mix 50 percent biodiesel into diesel oil.
This policy mandates a 50 percent blending of biodiesel for all types of diesel fuel. In its implementation, vegetable fuel businesses, petroleum fuel businesses, and distributing businesses are required to apply standards and quality according to the specified specifications.
In practice, biofuel businesses, oil fuel businesses, and distribution businesses are required to meet established quality standards. Violations of these provisions can result in administrative sanctions, ranging from written warnings to revocation of business licenses.
To support the transition period, the government has given fuel companies until September 30, 2026, to exhaust their B40 biodiesel stocks. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will also evaluate the B50 mandate every three months.
Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to the writing of this article
Read: Prabowo Attends Launch of Mandatory B50 Biodiesel Program in Karawang
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo Hails Indonesia as First to Adopt B50 Biodiesel
2 jam lalu
President Prabowo stated that biodiesel B50 is not just a technological achievement but also evidence of Indonesia's ability to utilize its natural wealth for the people.
Prabowo Attends Launch of Mandatory B50 Biodiesel Program in Karawang
3 jam lalu
President Prabowo attends the B50 Program launch in Karawang, part of efforts to boost Indonesia's energy independence and resilience.
Prabowo: Indonesia to End Diesel Imports with B50 Launch in July
15 hari lalu
Prabowo said Indonesia is moving closer to energy self-sufficiency and announced that the government plans to launch B50 biodiesel in July 20.
How B50 Will Cut Indonesia's Energy Import Dependence
46 hari lalu
Nevertheless, Indonesia's energy transition cannot be achieved instantly.
Indonesia's KAI Releases Initial Results of B50 Train Fuel Tests
27 April 2026
The B50 trial on trains is part of the national cross-sector testing before full implementation on July 1, 2026.
Indonesia to Halt Diesel Imports by July 2026
19 April 2026
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman announces Indonesia will stop diesel imports by July 1, 2026.
Pupuk Indonesia to Build Two Methanol Plants to Support B50 Program
7 April 2026
Pupuk Indonesia has established industrial areas in the regions to fast-track the construction of the facilities.
Indonesia Enacts Budget-Saving Measures to Offset Middle East War Impacts
1 April 2026
Indonesia has announced a number of budget-saving policies such as WFH and fuel caps to anticipate the impact of the Middle East war.
Airlangga to Detail WFH, Budget Efficiency Moves Amid Rising Geopolitical Risks Tomorrow
30 Maret 2026
Minister Airlangga will announce Indonesia's risk mitigation policies, including WFH and B50 regulations, to counter global geopolitical risks.
Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia to Cut Coal Production in 2026 to Lift Global Prices
14 November 2025
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
