Pertamina’s proposed biofuel may risk food security, state budget: Critics

State-owned oil and gas company Pertamina is examining the possibility of mixing more of its gasoline products with ethanol, in a bid to produce fuel with lower emissions.

Yohana Belinda

Yohana Belinda

The Jakarta Post

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A gas station worker refuels a car along the the Palembang-Jambi highway in South Sumatra in this file photo. PHOTO: ANTARA/ THE JAKARTA POST

September 5, 2023

JAKARTA – State-owned oil and gas company Pertamina is examining the possibility of mixing more of its gasoline products with ethanol, in a bid to produce fuel with lower emissions, but experts warn the benefits are unlikely to outweigh the risks and challenges.

Pertamina introduced the plan to lawmakers on Thursday, saying it was proposing to mix Pertalite, its branded gasoline with a research octane number (RON) of 90, with 7 percent ethanol that will result in a RON 92 gasoline on a par with its Pertamax product.

The new product will be named “Pertamax Green 92” even though 93 percent of the fuel is still derived from fossil fuel.

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