Deputy Minister Encourages National Bioenergy Development

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Fauzan said bioenergy development should be placed within the framework of national interests to strengthen energy security while supporting Indonesia’s green economic growth. He made the remarks at the Association of Indonesian Energy, Mineral and Coal Suppliers (Aspebindo) Bioenergy Business Summit in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

“Indonesia is not short of bioenergy resources. In fact, if we calculate it, we have a surplus,” Fauzan said in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday. He noted that the main challenge lies not in the availability of raw materials, but in how resources and untapped waste are viewed and managed.

Fauzan emphasized that energy sector development requires business players with integrity and a strong commitment to national interests. Downstream processing remains a crucial instrument to ensure that Indonesia’s natural resources create tangible added value for the domestic economy.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) estimates that Indonesia possesses biomass potential equivalent to 56.97 gigawatts (GW) of electricity. This potential is actively optimized through various government policies, including the mandatory B40 biodiesel program.

Throughout 2025, domestic biodiesel utilization reached 14.2 million kiloliters across the country. This achievement helped reduce national diesel imports from around 8.3 million tons in 2024 to approximately 5 million tons in 2025.

Fauzan also highlighted that universities hold a strategic role in preparing skilled human resources to meet the evolving needs of the energy sector. “Aspebindo has provided a platform for university students to showcase their talents and make greater contributions. That is how they can eventually become great people,” he said regarding the student competition held during the summit.

To support energy self-sufficiency, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology continues to encourage academic innovation through the Diktisaintek Berdampak initiative. This ecosystem bridges university research with industry needs, empowering young talent to deliver solutions for national energy security.