ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Indonesian government is targeting an end to imports of diesel fuel starting in 2026, as the country moves toward self-sufficiency in fuel supply.
The plan hinges on the full operation of the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) Balikpapan, managed by state-owned energy company PT Pertamina (Persero).
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said that once the RDMP Balikpapan refinery is fully operational, Indonesia is projected to record a diesel surplus of around 3–4 million kiloliters in 2026, eliminating the need for imports.
“By 2026, if our RDMP is completed, we will have a surplus of approximately 3 to 4 million kiloliters of diesel. That means our agenda for 2026 is zero diesel imports,” Bahlil said after inspecting the Plumpang Fuel Terminal (TBBM) in Jakarta on Sunday, December 28, 2025.
However, Bahlil stressed that the realization of the zero-import policy depends on infrastructure readiness and the refinery’s operational schedule. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources continues to coordinate closely with Pertamina to ensure technical preparedness on the ground.
He explained that if full refinery operations only begin in March 2026, limited diesel imports may still be required in the early months of the year to maintain national fuel stock resilience.
“It depends on Pertamina. If full operations start in March, there may still be small imports in January and February. But this will be evaluated. If imports are not needed, then we won’t do them,” he said.
Beyond import reduction, the government is also preparing a roadmap to improve diesel quality. Currently, domestically distributed diesel has a Cetane Number of 51, but the government aims to upgrade fuel quality to meet Euro 5 standards.
Bahlil acknowledged that the main challenge lies in the existing refinery infrastructure, which is not yet fully capable of meeting higher environmental standards.
Nevertheless, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upgrading refinery technology.
“We are moving toward Euro 5. While our refinery infrastructure is not yet fully ready, we will continue to make every effort to get there,” he said.
The RDMP Balikpapan refinery project is designated as a National Strategic Project (PSN), with an investment value of approximately USD 7.4 billion, or around IDR 126 trillion. It is one of the largest single-site investments undertaken by a state-owned enterprise, aimed at reducing fuel imports and strengthening Indonesia’s energy security. (AT Network)
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