Indonesia is looking to develop petrol made from coal as part of efforts to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel, President Prabowo Subianto said.
He said the initiative would build on the government’s efforts to develop fuel from domestic resources, including palm oil.
Prabowo said academics and professors from various engineering faculties in Indonesia had successfully developed diesel from palm oil, as well as petrol derived from the same resource.
“Our smart professors from engineering faculties have succeeded in producing diesel from palm oil and petrol from palm oil.
“We will also produce petrol from coal,” he said during a thanksgiving ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in East Java on Saturday.
Prabowo stressed the importance of continuing to develop alternative fuel sources to strengthen Indonesia’s energy security and ensure a more stable domestic supply.
He pointed to the implementation of diesel blended with up to 50% palm oil, known as B50, as an example of Indonesia’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
According to Prabowo, Indonesia stopped importing diesel from July 1 following increased domestic fuel production using palm oil.
He said strengthening domestic fuel production was particularly important amid uncertainty in global energy supplies caused by conflicts in various parts of the world.
“Diesel is currently in short supply globally. Even if we have the money, the product may not be available. Thankfully, we are now able to produce our own diesel. From what? From palm oil,” he said.
Prabowo has previously called for greater development of alternative energy sources using raw materials available domestically, describing the approach as important for strengthening Indonesia’s energy security.
