Yogyakarta. The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) conducted its first trial of B40 biodiesel for railway transportation at Lempuyangan Station, Yogyakarta, on Monday. The Ministry anticipates that the use of B40 could save up to $9 billion in fuel import costs.

“Today, we are holding a ceremony to kick off the implementation of B40 in the railway sector and land transportation,” said Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the Ministry, during the event.

Biodiesel B40, a blend of 40 percent vegetable oil with diesel fuel, is being tested on the Bogowonto train route between Lempuyangan Station, Yogyakarta, and Pasar Senen, Central Jakarta.

Eniya explained that the use of B40 aims to improve energy efficiency by reducing diesel consumption. Optimizing plant-based resources is also expected to help reduce the trade deficit caused by high oil imports.

She estimated that B40 usage could save the country up to $9 billion in foreign exchange. The use of B35 since 2023 has already cut foreign exchange expenses by Rp122 trillion.

Additionally, the adoption of alternative energy is expected to lower carbon emissions from the transportation sector, which is the second-largest emitter after the industrial sector.

Eniya noted that the trial for the railway sector will continue until results are available by December 2024. The minimum trial requirement for the railway sector is 1,200 hours of operation. Given that the round trip from Lempuyangan to Pasar Senen takes 22 hours, 50 round trips—approximately two months—are needed.

The Ministry projects that B40 could eventually be used across all types of transportation, including heavy machinery. After successful automotive trials in 2023, the current focus is on agricultural machinery and the railway sector. Future plans include applications in mining, shipping, and power generation.

Eniya mentioned that these sectors are expected to require up to 16 million kiloliters of B40.

Suryawan Putra Hia, Vice President of Logistics at state railway operator KAI, fully supports the trial and hopes it will be accompanied by long-term monitoring of B40’s impact on railway engines. Despite this, Suryawan is optimistic that the use of renewable energy will not significantly affect engine performance.

He highlighted that the railway’s annual fuel consumption is around 300 million liters.

“We hope that with this new renewable energy, everything will be better, more efficient, and more effective, providing the maximum benefit for us all,” Suryawan said.