Jakarta. Pertamina is conducting a feasibility study on developing bioethanol derived from sugar palm as part of efforts to expand the use of renewable energy in transportation fuels, President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri said on Tuesday.

Simon said the state-owned energy company fully supports the government’s plan to produce bioethanol from various local commodities such as cassava, sugarcane, and palm sugar, which could later be blended with gasoline, similar to the current B50 program for biodiesel using crude palm oil.

“Yes, there’s an ongoing study for bioethanol made from palm sugar,” Simon told reporters at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in Jakarta.

According to Simon, bioethanol development is crucial as Indonesia has abundant feedstock potential. The diversification of energy sources, he added, is being pushed aggressively to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Pertamina has already introduced Pertamax Green 95, a gasoline product containing around 5 percent bioethanol and boasting a higher octane level of 95, which is claimed to be more environmentally friendly.

Simon said bioethanol made from sugar palm could potentially be used in the production of Pertamax Green in the future. “We’ll test it later. It’s possible based on ongoing projects,” he said.

The company also pledged to back the Energy Ministry’s plan to require the use of 10 percent ethanol blend, or E10, in domestic fuel production. Pertamina, Simon said, is preparing infrastructure and technology to align with the upcoming government mandate.

“The decision involves all stakeholders, including the automotive industry. Infrastructure readiness and technological adaptation are the keys,” Simon added.

According to Simon, expanding ethanol use would bring dual benefits: reducing national carbon emissions and cutting fuel import volumes.

Simon also expressed optimism about Indonesia’s bioethanol roadmap, mentioning interest from major Japanese automakers to invest in domestic projects. Deputy Minister for Investment and Downstream Industry, Todotua Pasaribu, recently said that Toyota was among several foreign companies interested in establishing ethanol production facilities in the country.

“As we move forward, this policy, which affects many people, must be studied and implemented carefully, together,” he said.

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