Jakarta. Indonesia on Tuesday launched a national hydrogen transport initiative, unveiling a 194-kilometer green energy corridor linking Jakarta and Patimban and introducing a hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel bus as part of its efforts to build a domestic hydrogen ecosystem and accelerate the country's clean energy transition.

The initiatives were introduced at the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit (GHES) in Jakarta, which brought together government officials, state-owned enterprises, industry representatives, researchers, investors and international partners to promote the development of Indonesia's hydrogen sector.

The Jakarta–Patimban Hydrogen Corridor will connect Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta with Patimban Port in West Java via Karawang, supporting low-emission logistics and transportation along a 194-kilometer route equipped with hydrogen refueling infrastructure. The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said hydrogen refueling stations are being prepared to serve commercial vehicles operating on the corridor.

As part of the initiative, state-owned bus operator DAMRI unveiled a pilot hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel bus developed in collaboration with the Energy Ministry, state electricity company PLN, independent testing and certification company SUCOFINDO, and project developer Tritunggal Prakarsa Global.

The modified Hino bus is equipped with 16 hydrogen storage cylinders, each with a capacity of 50 liters, enabling it to operate on a combination of diesel and hydrogen without replacing its existing diesel engine.

According to SUCOFINDO, testing showed the dual-fuel system reduced smoke opacity by 57.66%, carbon monoxide emissions by 45.45%, carbon dioxide by 39.37%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 21.16% compared with conventional diesel operation.

The pilot project is intended to demonstrate how hydrogen can partially replace fossil fuels in existing commercial vehicle fleets, reducing emissions without requiring operators to immediately invest in entirely new vehicles.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said hydrogen would play an increasingly important role in strengthening Indonesia's energy security as geopolitical uncertainty underscores the need to diversify energy sources.

“Hydrogen is a very important alternative energy source amid global geopolitical uncertainty,” Bahlil said in a statement. “By developing an integrated hydrogen ecosystem from upstream to downstream, Indonesia can create domestic value-added industries, improve industrial competitiveness, attract investment and generate new jobs.”

Bahlil acknowledged that hydrogen remains more expensive than conventional fuels, including Indonesia's B50 biodiesel blend, but said advances in technology and changing global energy markets would improve its competitiveness over time.

“We do not expect hydrogen to remain expensive forever. As technology advances and access to new oil resources becomes more limited, hydrogen will become increasingly competitive with conventional fuels,” he said.

The government is also developing domestic hydrogen supply chains using locally available feedstocks and renewable electricity as part of its broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and support long-term energy independence.

Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Eniya Listiani Dewi said Indonesia currently has 93 hydrogen ecosystem initiatives nationwide with planned investment totaling Rp 32 trillion (about $1.8 billion). She said hydrogen development is expected to support the decarbonization of the industrial, transportation and power sectors while creating new opportunities for sustainable economic growth.