Enviro News Asia, Bandung — Members of Indonesia’s House of Representatives continue to promote renewable energy development as part of efforts to strengthen national energy security and reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Vice Chair of Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Dony Maryadi Oekon, encouraged the acceleration of bioenergy development, particularly bioethanol, during a meeting with PT Pertamina NRE at the company’s bioethanol pilot project in Bandung, West Java, on Thursday.
Dony stated that bioethanol forms part of Indonesia’s new and renewable energy mix and holds significant potential for large-scale development. He emphasized that the use of bioethanol could directly reduce imports of petroleum-based fuels while supporting the national energy transition.
He explained that bioethanol is planned to be blended with Pertamax, a non-subsidized fuel product, which would expand its utilization within the national energy system and increase demand for domestically produced renewable fuels.
According to Dony, Indonesia has substantial potential to develop bioethanol due to the availability of land suitable for cultivating feedstock crops. He stressed that the bioethanol industry must be developed seriously and sustainably to fully realize its economic and energy benefits.
While acknowledging that implementation challenges remain, Dony urged the government to take a proactive approach by providing regulatory support and easing administrative barriers to ensure the industry can grow.
He also highlighted that bioethanol development should not be limited to state-owned enterprises, noting that private sector participation is essential. He called on the government to create a favorable investment climate and avoid unnecessary obstacles for investors interested in the sector.
From a regulatory perspective, Commission XII committed to supporting policy frameworks through coordination with relevant ministries to ensure that bioethanol development receives adequate legal backing and institutional support.
Beyond energy and investment considerations, Dony underscored the importance of farmer empowerment within the bioethanol value chain. He noted that agricultural producers would play a central role in supplying feedstock, positioning farmers as key beneficiaries of the industry’s expansion.
With regulatory support, investment facilitation, and strong farmer involvement, bioethanol development is expected to become a strategic solution for enhancing Indonesia’s energy resilience while promoting renewable energy–based economic growth. (*)
