JAKARTA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has set a target for the mandatory use of 5 percent bioethanol (E5) in fuel blends, which will begin in 2026, a senior official said on Friday.
Eniya Listiani Dewi, director general of new renewable energy and energy conservation at the ministry, emphasized that the mandate will be implemented gradually, starting with Java Island.
According to her, the phased implementation of E5 is due to limited bioethanol supply. While Indonesia has 13 sugar and supporting industries, only three currently produce ethanol that meets fuel-grade specifications.
"Only three industries can produce fuel-grade ethanol, with a total output of 60,000 kiloliters," Dewi said.
To meet the 5 percent bioethanol mandate, Indonesia will require 1 million to 1.2 million kiloliters annually. The government plans to address this gap by boosting production from ethanol-producing sources such as sugarcane, cassava, and palm sugar.
The move aligns with Indonesia's broader goal of reducing fossil fuel dependency and transitioning to clean energy to curb carbon emissions. ■
