Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia is striving to end diesel imports in 2026 and achieve self-sufficiency in supply once the key refinery upgrade project in Balikpapan reaches full operational capacity.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia said the government is pressing ahead with its plan to end diesel imports in 2026, banking on the start-up of the Balikpapan Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) and the expansion of the biodiesel mandate to achieve fuel self-sufficiency.
“Our agenda for 2026 is no more diesel imports,” Bahlil said. “If the Balikpapan RDMP is fully operational, domestic diesel supply should be sufficient.”
The official added that once the Balikpapan RDMP operates at full capacity, Indonesia could record a diesel surplus of around 3–4 million kilolitres (KL) in 2026.
Bahlil noted, however, that limited imports may still be required in the early months of 2026, depending on the refinery’s operational readiness. If full operations are only achieved around March, imports could still take place in January–February to safeguard national energy supply./.
