MEDAN— Indonesia Government completed the campaign of Biodiesel 20% (B20) use. Mobilising a fleet of cars to use the biofuel being promoted, the team embarked from Jakarta on 19 October and reached Medan (North Sumatra) on 30 October. Covering 3,383 kilometers, they visited Lampung, Palembang (South Sumatra), Jambi, Padang (West Sumatra), Pekanbaru (Riau). The entire fleet consumed 1,206 liters of biodiesel, a mixture comprising diesel fuel (80%) and palm oil (205%).
The roadshow involved a partnership that consists of Directorate of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, BPPT, Lemigas, Aprobi, GAIKINDO, ITG, and BPDPKS. BPDPKS’ Fund Delivery Director Mr Dadan Kusdiana said the roadshow is aimed to assure public that the Government’s mandatory regulation has begun in effect. Starting from B15 this year, it will improve into B20 by January 2016.
Within the partnership, Asprobi contributed the B20 mixture. BPPT, Lemigas, and ITB provided the mixing technology. BPDPKS provided fund to support production and promotion. Campuses in those six cities in Sumatra hosted the campaign. Meanwhile, GAIKINDO supported the roadshow with a fleet of vehicle, namely Ford Ranger, Mistubishi Pajero, Kijang Innova, Hino Truck, and Isuzu Elf.
Utilisation of biodiesel in Indonesia embarked into the use of the B20. This is an effort to comply with Regulation of Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources Number 20 rolled out in 2014. The regulation is a mandatory for transportation, industry, and power plant. In the near future, the fuel will be upgraded gradually from B16 to into B20 in 2015 and B30 in 2020.
