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Pertamina’s proposed biofuel may risk food security, state budget: Critics
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.
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A gas station worker refuels a car along the the Palembang-Jambi highway in South Sumatra in this file photo. (Antara/Nova Wahyudi)
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tate-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.
Pertamina already launched its biofuel product in July named “Pertamax Green 95”, despite only 5 percent of its content actually being bioethanol and the rest Pertamax gasoline.
Pertamina president director Nicke Widyawati stated on Thursday that the plan would create a higher quality of fuel, as a higher-octane rating produces fewer emissions. However, the company is studying the plan internally and will propose this to the government, she said.
“However, this is just a proposal, so is not meant as an argument,” she told lawmakers during a meeting with House Commission VII that oversees energy, mining and industry, stressing that no official decision has been made by the government.
If the plan is realized, the company’s gasoline products will only consist of Pertamax Green 92, Pertamax Green 95 and Pertamax Turbo, Nicke said.
