Indonesia is taking significant steps to reduce air pollution, especially from vehicle emissions, by introducing a new low sulfur diesel fuel. This initiative aims to address one of the major sources of pollution in the country.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, announced that the government is gearing up to launch this environmentally friendly fuel, which meets the Euro 4 standards for low sulfur content. This move aligns with the government’s plan to roll out targeted subsidies for fuel distribution starting on September 1, 2024.
“Euro 4 standard fuel must be low in sulfur, and the date isn’t August 17,” Airlangga said during a press briefing at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
In anticipation of this new policy, Pertamina has confirmed its readiness to distribute the new low sulfur diesel fuel. Taufik Aditiyawarman, CEO of PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI), stated that the new fuel will initially be available at three gas stations in Jakarta. The sulfur content of this fuel is 50 ppm, significantly lower than current offerings.
“We’ll start with three gas stations in Jakarta. The supply will come from the Balongan refinery, which can produce ultra-low sulfur fuel,” Taufik explained, without specifying the exact locations of these gas stations.
The Balongan refinery, managed by Pertamina, is capable of producing 900,000 barrels per month of this low sulfur diesel fuel, ensuring a steady supply for the initial rollout.
So, what sets this new fuel apart from the existing options? Currently, several fuel distributors, including Pertamina and private companies, already sell low sulfur diesel fuels. However, these products are not subsidized and are sold at market prices.
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Pertamina, for example, offers two low sulfur diesel products: Dexlite and Pertamina Dex. Pertamina Dex, with a cetane number of 53 and sulfur content of 50 ppm, is known for maintaining engine performance and power while being environmentally friendly with low emissions, meeting Euro 4 standards.
Dexlite, another Pertamina product, has a minimum cetane number of 51 and a maximum sulfur content of 1,200 ppm, providing a more accessible option for consumers.
Other private companies, such as Shell Indonesia, also offer high cetane diesel fuels. Shell Diesel Extra, with a cetane number of 53 and 30% biofuel content, and V-Power Diesel, with a cetane number of 51 and sulfur content of 10 ppm, meet stringent Euro 5 emission standards.
BP AKR is another player in the market, offering high cetane diesel fuels such as BP Diesel and BP Ultimate, further expanding the choices available to consumers.
The government has not yet clarified whether the new low sulfur diesel fuel will be subsidized. However, the introduction of this fuel is a significant step towards reducing air pollution and aligning with international environmental standards.
This initiative reflects Indonesia’s commitment to improving air quality and protecting the environment, demonstrating the government’s proactive approach to tackling one of the country’s pressing issues.
