Indonesia's Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia Sets 2027 Target for 10% Sorghum‑Based Bioethanol Blend

Energy experts from Universitas Indonesia, led by Ali Ahmudi Achyak, say bioethanol produced from sorghum can be cheaper than corn, sugarcane or cassava‑based fuels because sorghum grows on marginal, non‑arable land and does not compete with food crops. Despite the lower production cost, sorghum bioethanol remains more expensive than fossil gasoline, prompting Achyak to call for subsidies on seeds, fertilizer and research to narrow the price gap.

Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced that the government aims to introduce a 10 % ethanol‑fuel blend (E10) by 2027 as an initial step, with a roadmap toward a 20 % blend (E20) by 2028‑2029. The plan, part of a study that began in 2025, seeks to curb Indonesia’s dependence on imported gasoline and to create a sustainable biofuel ecosystem that includes land management, seed supply and farmer participation.