jakarta – The Indonesian government announced plans today to end solar fuel imports in 2026, a move signaling a notable push for energy independence and a potential restructuring of regional fuel markets [[3]]. This initiative, reliant on maximizing output from domestic refineries like the Refinery Growth Master Plan (RDMP) in Balikpapan, aims to reduce Indonesia‘s vulnerability to global price fluctuations and bolster its domestic energy sector [[2]]. Officials indicate the import ban will extend to private companies, requiring all fuel retailers to source supply domestically.
Jakarta –
The Indonesian government is planning to halt solar fuel imports this year, though the success of that initiative hinges on maximizing output from domestic refineries.
A key project in this effort is the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) in Balikpapan.
“We will assess the optimal production levels from the RDMP, as well as domestic solar production and aviation turbine fuel (avtur) output reported by the Minister,” said Yuliot Tanjung, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, on Friday, January 2, 2026. “Our assumption is that we can achieve a surplus and self-sufficiency in both solar and avtur this year.”
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Tanjung added that the goal is for domestic production to meet national demand, thereby eliminating the need for imports, even for private fuel retailers.
“We will first determine domestic production capacity and then allocate import volumes based on remaining needs,” he explained.
Laode Sulaeman, Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, previously stated that the import ban would apply to private companies as well.
“The intention is to stop all imports, including those by private companies,” Sulaeman said on December 19, 2025, in Jakarta. “Private companies will be able to source solar fuel from domestic refineries. That’s the understanding behind the import halt.”
(ily/hns)
