MoEMR trials initial implementation of B40 for trains
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Kementerian ESDM uji coba perdana penerapan B40 untuk kereta api
24 July 2024
Jakarta, ID – The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MoEMR) is testing the use of the B40 biodiesel on trains. The trial took place on Monday (22/7/2024) at Lempuyangan Station in Yogyakarta, using the Bogowonto Train, which operates on the Yogyakarta-Pasar Senen route. B40 is a mixed fuel consisting of 60% diesel and 40% palm oil.
“This is the first time we use B40 in the railway sector” New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Director General of the MoEMR Eniya Listiani Dewi said in her statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (23/7/2024).
This limited performance trial aims to test the endurance of the generator of the Bogowonto Train over 1,200 hours. Since a single round trip from Lempuyangan to Pasar Senen takes 22 hours, approximately 50 round trips—or about two months—are needed to complete the test and obtain results.
“We hope the trial can be completed in December. So, B40 can be fully utilised in 2025,” Eniya stated.
Eniya is optimistic that using B40 can save foreign exchange by reducing the need for imported diesel compared to the previous B35 blend. Additionally, increasing biodiesel utilisation will help lower carbon emissions in Indonesia.
Eniya noted that in 2023, the use of B35 in both automotive and non-automotive sectors resulted in a foreign exchange saving of Rp122 trillion. This year, the savings are expected to remain similar. "Next year, with the introduction of B40, the reduction is projected to reach approximately $9 billion or around Rp144 trillion," she said.
Meanwhile, carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction is expected to reach 42.5 million tonnes by 2025, based on the projected use of 16 million kilolitres (kl) of B40. This is an increase compared to the 12.23 million kl of B35 used in 2023, which is anticipated to rise to 13 million kl by the end of 2024.
PT KAI Vice President of Logistics Suryawan Putra Hia stated that PT KAI has used 300 million litres of B35 so far. He noted that train performance has remained unaffected, which makes him optimistic that the transition from B35 to B40 will proceed smoothly, given the similar specifications.
“As of now, there is no issue. Later, maybe the B100 variant will be a significant challenge, but we are optimistic that B40 will not have a significant impact on machines,” he said.
On the other hand, Oil and Gas Testing Centre Head Mustafid Gunawan announced that the biodiesel will be tested on both locomotives and generators. The locomotive test will be conducted on a train running the Jakarta-Surabaya route, while the generator test will take place on the Bogowonto Train, which operates on the Lempuyangan-Pasar Senen route.
“The locomotive test has been carried out on 3 July 2024, which is set to be completed in December 2024. The generator test will be carried out over 1,200 hours from today to November 2024,” he explained.
For these tests, PT KAI has constructed blending facilities and fuelling stations at five locations, namely in Cipinang (Jakarta), Arjawinangun (Cirebon), Cepu (Blora), Lempuyangan (Yogyakarta), and Pasar Turi (Surabaya).
