Indonesian National Energy Committee (DEN) secretary general Djoko Siswanto, third from left, attends a press conference at the 15th Indonesian Palm Oil Conference in Nusa Dua, Bali. (Photo courtesy of Gapki) Jakarta (VNA) – Secretary General of the Indonesian National Energy Committee Djoko Siswanto said the country is developing green fuel as an end-product of palm oil, to reduce the country's reliance on costly oil imports.
Speaking at the 15th Indonesian Palm Oil Conference recently held in Bali, Djoko said Indonesia is testing green fuel production in refineries in Dumai and Plaju, and looks to put bio-fuel, including aviation fuel products, up to the market by 2022 or 2023.
At present, only 12 percent of refineries produce bio-fuel, he said, adding that the government is seeking domestic and foreign investors to build more refineries, especially in regions close to oil palm plantations in Sumatra and Kalimantan. However, there are no plans at this stage to export green fuels.
Indonesia's drive to convert palm oil into green fuel would require around 8.8 million hectares of oil palm plantations.
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said the government would increase the percentage of biodiesel in the national fuel mix.
The 30 percent biodiesel policy will start in January 2020 and consume an additional 3 million tonnes of palm oil for the entire year, he said./.
VNA
