B50 gives Indonesia a foundation for building an energy-transition ecosystem

Indonesia’s long development of biodiesel has reached the B50 stage, which lawmaker Bambang Patijaya described as an important foundation for building a national energy-transition ecosystem.

Speaking at the launch of a book on energy transition in Jakarta, Bambang said energy policy was changing quickly. When the book was written, Indonesia was still operating the B40 program. The government then introduced mandatory B50 in July 2026.

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When we talk about the energy transition, there is another scope and spectrum that we must consider, namely climate change. The spirit of this energy transition is how we want to reduce emissions and carbon.

B50 is the latest step in a program that began in 2008 with B20, followed by B30, B35 and B40. The fuel contains 50% palm-based biodiesel and 50% diesel. The government projects that its implementation could save up to 170 trillion rupiah in foreign exchange, employ about 2.1 million people and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 44.46 million tons.

Pertamina said its infrastructure was ready to distribute B50 through the prepared network. Its corporate communications vice president, Muhammad Baron, said national distribution had reached about 80% by the end of August. The Energy Ministry reported a similar range of 75% to 80% as of Aug. 31, while Pertamina later said readiness had exceeded 90% in early September. Full distribution at all fuel stations is targeted for Oct. 1.

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For B50, Pertamina is infrastructure-ready to distribute it. By the end of August 2026, national distribution had reached around 80%.