Indonesia took another step towards launching biodiesel containing 50 per cent palm-oil based biofuel (B50) by concluding laboratory tests, an energy ministry official said on Tuesday, as the country aims for implementation next year.
Palm-oil based biodiesel is currently mandated at 40 per cent blend (B40) but Indonesia wants to increase the level to reduce its reliance on imports of fossil fuels.
The laboratory testing involved running an engine using the B50 fuel and was concluded in August. Officials will now carry out road tests, the energy ministry’s bioenergy director, Edi Wibowo, told Reuters.
“Based on the test results we will move forward to launch road tests and testing on non-automotive machineries that run on diesel,” he said.