President Prabowo Launches B50, Making Indonesia a Global Pioneer

RRI.CO.ID, Karawang – President Prabowo Subianto officially launched the mandatory B50 biodiesel program in West Java on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The program requires a blend of 50 percent palm oil-based biofuel and 50 percent diesel fuel.

In his remarks, Prabowo expressed pride that Indonesia had become the first country in the world to introduce a mandatory B50 policy. He said the achievement demonstrated Indonesia’s ability to manage its natural resources independently to meet its energy needs and improve public welfare.

“Indonesia has officially become the first country in the world to implement a mandatory B50 biodiesel policy. This is not merely a technological achievement. It proves that Indonesia is capable of using its own natural resources for the benefit of its own people,” he said.

The implementation of B50 is also considered an important step toward strengthening Indonesia’s energy security and independence. Through the program, the government aims to meet the country’s entire diesel fuel demand through domestic production by Pertamina. Prabowo said the mandatory B50 policy would end Indonesia’s dependence on imported diesel fuel.

The President stated, “With B50 alone, we no longer need to import diesel fuel from abroad. This is truly an extraordinary achievement for the nation.”

Indonesia first introduced a mandatory biofuel policy in 2008, with a blend of 2.5 percent. The program was gradually expanded and entered its eighth phase in 2026, when the biodiesel blend reached 50 percent.

In addition to strengthening energy security, the implementation of B50 is expected to provide economic and environmental benefits. The program is projected to save the country up to 170 trillion rupiah, or around 9.4 billion US dollars, in foreign exchange, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 44.46 million tons of carbon dioxide.