Vice President Gibran Rakabuming visits Cilacap to review green energy and local issues

Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka conducted a working visit to Cilacap, Central Java, on October 26, 2026, focusing on sustainable energy and local community welfare. During a visit to the Pertamina Patra Niaga Cilacap Refinery, the Vice President reviewed the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) derived from used cooking oil (UCO). This initiative utilizes the Thermal Distillate Hydro Treating (TDHT) facility through a co-processing scheme to convert household waste into eco-friendly aviation fuel.

The program integrates industrial innovation with community empowerment by utilizing local waste banks to collect used cooking oil. This provides residents with additional economic value while supporting national energy goals. Pertamina Patra Niaga reported that the facility has reached the commercial production stage, producing approximately 11 million liters of co-processed fuel in October.

In addition to energy initiatives, the Vice President met with local fishermen at the Tegalkatilayu Fish Auction Site to address grievances regarding subsidized diesel distribution, administrative hurdles for fuel recommendations, and the silting of the Kaliyasa River. Experts from Universitas Jenderal Soedirman noted that while the visit was a strategic opportunity to bridge central government, BUMN, and local stakeholders, concrete implementation is required to resolve these coastal community issues.