Indonesia begins testing to prepare ‘B50’ palm oil biodiesel mandate

Indonesia is carrying out tests ahead of plans by the incoming government to increase the palm oil-based biodiesel blending mandate to 50%, from 35% now, a government official said, raising industry concerns over supplies for exports. Under its ‘B35’ programme, Indonesia already has one of the world’s highest biofuel mix mandates. The outgoing government of President Joko Widodo has plans to raise this to B40 next year. Prabowo Subianto, who will take over from Widodo in October after winning the February election, has pledged to raise the mandate further to B50 to reduce oil imports, without setting a timeline. Ahead of the presidential transition, the current administration has ordered the palm oil industry to prepare for B50 and conduct tests. “A static test for B50 composition is being carried out by the energy ministry and several stakeholders,” director general of renewable energy at the energy ministry Eniya Listiani Dewi told Reuters on Wednesday. That will be followed by ...