Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka stated that President Prabowo Subianto aims for Indonesia to soon produce Biodiesel 50 (B50), a blend of 50 percent fossil diesel and 50 percent palm oil.
Raka elaborated that B50, a national program, represents the government's effort to accelerate the energy transition from fossil fuels to green, emission-free energy.
"We currently have B35 and B40 blends, but in the future, the president is targeting B50. Thus, there will also be bioavtur, bioethanol, and biodiesel -- many of them. Our bioenergy potential is enormous, reaching 57 gigawatts. Regarding palm oil and seaweed, we are among the largest in the world," he remarked while speaking at the Green Impact Festival in Jakarta on Thursday.
In his speech, Raka outlined several government energy transition programs, including support for electric vehicles and a commitment to building several waste-incinerated power plants (PLTSa).
"Currently, there is a Waste Management Acceleration Task Force. In 12 cities, waste-to-energy power plants will be developed. Two pilot waste-to-energy power plants exist in Surabaya and Solo, built during my time as mayor. The one in Surabaya is 12 megawatts, and the one in Solo is 8 megawatts. God willing, the other 12 cities will soon be able to replicate these two pilot waste-to-energy power plants," he stated.
He emphasized that the government is taking energy transition seriously as the climate crisis is a real threat affecting everyone, not just the Indonesian people, but all citizens of the world, regardless of where they live.
"I am sure my friends here already know that many countries, major countries in the world, are currently being impacted by climate change due to global warming," he stated at the festival attended by young people.
He drew attention to several impacts of climate change, including extreme drought, flooding, rising sea levels, and the threat of crop failure, as real challenges in Indonesia that cannot be ignored.
"The challenges are right before our eyes, and we must act immediately," he urged.
