Indonesia Unveils E50 Bioethanol Plan to End Gasoline Imports
The Indonesian government aims to eliminate finished gasoline imports by implementing an E50 bioethanol blend mandate, according to Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.
The plan is part of a broader energy security agenda that also includes accelerating exploration of domestic oil basins and blocks, as well as optimizing aging wells to boost national crude production.
The government has identified sugarcane, cassava, and corn as primary raw materials for ethanol production, drawing inspiration from Brazil's adoption of E100.
Bahlil outlined a phased rollout plan, starting with E10 in 2027 and advancing to E20 in 2028 before scaling up to E50. However, he emphasized that the program must rely strictly on domestic agricultural supply rather than foreign bioethanol imports.