Prabowo pushes E10 fuel, Pertamina readies roadmap to E20

President Prabowo Subianto is pushing for faster adoption of 10% ethanol-blended gasoline, or E10, as part of the target of energy self-sufficiency. Speaking at the Panen Raya Serentak event in Malang, East Java, Pertamina New & Renewable Energy presented a roadmap toward 20% ethanol-blended fuel, or E20, to reduce fuel imports. Pertamina currently operates only E5 at 170 outlets in Jakarta and East Java. Pertamina NRE CEO John Anis said ethanol demand for the E10 stage is expected to reach 2.4 million kiloliters, requiring about 20 to 30 bioethanol plants within two years. The main feedstock is molasses from sugar cane, but a multi-feedstock scheme is also being prepared using palm sugar, cassava, corn and sorghum. Pertamina also said the program would require mandatory rules and certainty on supply and feedstock prices.