Ministry to start trial of biodiesel mix in locomotive sector next year

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources plans to start trial phase of its 20 percent biodiesel mix policy in the locomotive sector next year in a bid to help realize full implementation of the policy in 2020.

?We?ll conduct trial of the B-20 biodiesel in the locomotive sector. We?ll see whether B-20 can comply with the current locomotive system,? Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arcandra Tahar said in a statement on Sunday.

Dadan Kusdiana, the ministry?s spokesman said that the trial program will be held in January-March of next year.

The mandatory 20 percent biodiesel mix policy requires the use of 20 percent bio content in automotive diesel. While the 20 percent biodiesel policy has been generally implemented in the automotive sector, the heavy equipment sector including heavy equipment used in the mining sector, locomotive, and military/defense sector have been reluctant to follow existing regulations requiring 20 percent bio content in automotive diesel fuel. The 20 percent biodiesel mix must be achieved in 2020, and 30 percent in 2030.

Arcandra said that the ministry will also start initial study next year on the planned application of the biodiesel 30 percent mix policy.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak