The devlopment of SAF is one of Pertamina's efforts toward the energy transition, particularly in the aviation industry, supporting the net-zero emissions (NZE) 2060 target. Pertamina SAF is an environmentally friendly fuel, incorporating palm oil components to reduce aircraft emissions. Furthermore, the use of palm oil components can promote domestic industrial and economic growth.

“Pertamina, as a leader in the energy transition, plays a role in building an environmentally friendly ecosystem. By developing green fuels, we are committed to fulfilling the energy sovereignty mandate and meeting Indonesia's needs. This includes products like SAF, which represents the future of the aviation industry,” explained Pertamina president director and CEO Nicke Widyawati.

After a series of SAF development phases and reliability tests, Pertamina in collaboration with fellow state-owned enterprise Garuda Indonesia flew from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Adi Soemarmo International Airport using Pertamina SAF as the fuel. Through this commercial flight implementation, the community can experience the benefits of using renewable energy of the same quality as fossil energy.

To prepare for the flight, Pertamina conducted SAF refueling at the Soekarno-Hatta Fuel Terminal and Hydrant Installation (SHAFTHI) in Cengkareng on Oct 26. SAF refueling also took place at the Adi Soemarmo Aircraft Refueling Depot (DPPU) in Surakarta before the flight returned to Soekarno-Hatta later on Oct. 27.

Pertamina SAF also underwent a test flight on Oct. 4 on a commercial Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft with registration number PK-GFX, owned by Garuda Indonesia. The test flight lasted for 60 minutes, in the airspace over Pelabuhan Ratu.

Pertamina SAF is the result of innovation and collaboration within Pertamina's subholding. Produced at PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional's Green Refinery in Cilacap, SAF is made using the co-processing method of hydro-treated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) and complies with international standards. SAF will be marketed through PT Pertamina Patra Niaga for the aviation industry in Indonesia and could potentially expand to the international aviation market.

SAF has many advantages, one of which is lower emissions compared with conventional fossil fuels. The use of environmentally friendly fuels in the aviation industry will be mandatory by 2026, in accordance with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) Framework from the International Civil Aviation Organization. Currently, this regulation is in the voluntary pilot phase.

“Pertamina's success in producing SAF, being the first in the Southeast Asian region, projects Pertamina SAF to become an environmentally friendly product that can be marketed to airlines. This also serves as evidence of Pertamina's consistency in green energy development in Indonesia and contributes to decarbonization programs,” added Nicke.

As a leading company in the energy transition, Pertamina is committed to supporting the NZE 2060 target by continually promoting programs that have a direct impact on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All of these efforts are in line with the implementation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) programs across all of Pertamina's business lines and operations.

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