Enviro News Asia, Bandung – Indonesia’s efforts to accelerate its transition toward green energy have entered a new phase. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni inaugurated the Aren Bioethanol Pilot Project at the Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) Kamojang area in Bandung Regency on Wednesday (19/11/2025). This initiative marks a strategic step in advancing aren-based bioenergy, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s energy security agenda.
In his remarks, Minister Raja Antoni emphasized that the project is more than a technical trial—it is concrete proof that Indonesia’s forest resources can become a source of clean energy with high economic value.
“Today I am very pleased, because what we have discussed and envisioned can finally be realized. This is a major step showing that Indonesia’s forest wealth can generate clean energy that brings real benefits to the community,” Raja Antoni said.
Raja Antoni noted that President Prabowo has long paid attention to the potential of aren as a national bioethanol source. In the midst of global geopolitical uncertainty, he said, energy security becomes a crucial mandate that must be achieved through cross-sector collaboration.
“The President has been very clear about the importance of energy security. The world is increasingly unstable, and in the end every nation will look after its own interests. Therefore, energy security is a mandatory program that must be carried out,” he stressed.
He explained that the entire production process of aren bioethanol—from sap tapping and processing to its use as a fuel—can now be tested and implemented directly through the pilot facility. Aren is considered highly promising because it can grow under forest canopies and thrive on slopes unsuitable for other crops.
“With its high productivity and stable availability, aren can become one of the pillars for meeting national bioethanol needs. As its economic value increases, communities will have stronger incentives to protect forest cover and prevent land conversion,” the Minister said.
The pilot processes sap sourced from Social Forestry groups and village cooperatives, allowing the economic benefits to flow directly to local communities. During the event, the Minister also filled and drove a car powered by Aren Bioethanol, demonstrating the biofuel’s feasibility firsthand.
Raja Antoni expressed hope that the pilot will serve as the foundation for the Training for the Trainers Program for Aren Acceleration, which will prepare national aren production infrastructure through collaboration with Pertamina, PNRE, PGE, BRIN, the Ministry’s BP2SDM, and the aren acceleration team led by conservationist and microbiologist Willie Smits.
In addition to inaugurating the bioethanol facility, activities in Kamojang included planting productive trees with the local community. A total of 26,000 MPTS and fruit tree seedlings were distributed to support watershed restoration efforts while improving community welfare.
To conclude the event, the Minister released a Besra Falcon (Tachyspiza virgata) as a symbol of the government’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity conservation.
The inauguration marks an important stride for Indonesia toward achieving green energy independence—rooted in forest resources, managed by communities, and strengthened by technological innovation. (*)
