RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia introduced a hydrogen-powered transport initiative to accelerate practical hydrogen deployment beyond planning. The launch featured a Hydrogen Diesel Dual Fuel pilot bus and a green hydrogen corridor.

The initiatives were unveiled during the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit 2026, which was held in Jakarta, 21-23 July 2026. The forum gathered government, industry, researchers, investors, businesses, and international partners to strengthen hydrogen development.

As quoted by a press release, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, mentioned hydrogen supports energy transition and national resilience. He added hydrogen also enhances downstream industries, industrialization, and long-term energy independence.

"Hydrogen is a crucial alternative energy amid uncertain global geopolitics, such as the conflict in the Middle East," the Minister said. He further explained that the uncertainty resulted in countries protecting national energy need by using their own comparative superiority.

Meanwhile, Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Eniya Listiani Dewi, highlighted expanding hydrogen projects nationwide. She said Indonesia currently has 93 hydrogen ecosystem initiatives worth approximately Rp32 trillion in investment.

The government is also advancing hydrogen-based dedieselization projects in Sumba and Rote Island. Officials expect the projects to significantly reduce electricity production costs while supporting cleaner energy generation.

A key technology introduced was the Hydrogen Diesel Dual Fuel pilot bus operated by Perum DAMRI. The modified diesel bus uses both diesel fuel and hydrogen through a collaborative government and industry project.

The program involves the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, PT PLN, Perum DAMRI, PT SUCOFINDO, and PT Tritunggal Prakarsa Global. PT SUCOFINDO independently verifies safety, technical compliance, reliability, inspection, certification, and consultation throughout implementation.

The pilot bus carries sixteen hydrogen storage cylinders with dedicated high-pressure operating specifications. The hydrogen system is installed on a Hino six-cylinder diesel engine with 7,684 cubic centimeters.

Testing by PT SUCOFINDO showed substantial reductions across several major vehicle emission categories. Opacity decreased 57.66 percent, carbon monoxide 45.45 percent, carbon dioxide 39.37 percent, and nitrogen oxides 21.16 percent.

The pilot project aims at reducing diesel consumption without immediately replacing existing transportation fleets. Officials expect gradual hydrogen adoption to lower emissions while maintaining operational reliability across public transportation services.