Energy Self-Sufficiency Accelerated, Government Ready to End Diesel and Aviation Fuel Imports
Jakarta – The government has reaffirmed its commitment to maximizing the role of domestic refineries, particularly through the revitalization or Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) of the Balikpapan Refinery in East Kalimantan. This step is a key strategy to replace imported fuels such as diesel and aviation fuel (avtur) and strengthen national energy sovereignty.
In this regard, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia recently announced a new policy to stop diesel imports for private gas stations (SPBU) by 2026.
“Starting this year, I will no longer issue diesel import permits. Starting this year, diesel import permits will no longer exist,” Bahlil emphasized.
Thus, if there are still diesel cargoes entering Indonesia in January-February 2026, then the diesel is the remainder of imports in 2025. Bahlil emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the government to maximize the existence of the Balikpapan Refinery to meet domestic needs.
“The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, on the orders of President Prabowo Subianto, has announced that because we already have a refinery, we will no longer be importing,” he added.
In addition to diesel, the government is also targeting Indonesia to stop importing aviation fuel (avtur) starting in 2027. This policy is part of a broader strategy to strengthen national energy security.
“So, God willing, by 2027, we will no longer import aviation fuel. Going forward, on the President’s orders, we will only import crude oil,” Bahlil explained.
Bahlil is confident that if this policy goes according to plan, various pressures caused by energy imports can be significantly reduced. This will not only save foreign exchange but also strengthen the national oil processing industry.
“If we can do this, the additional pressures from imports will be reduced,” Bahlil concluded.
For your information, President Prabowo inaugurated the Balikpapan Refinery Development Plan (RDMP) on Monday (January 12th), with an investment value of US$7.4 billion, equivalent to Rp 123 trillion. This project is one of the largest energy investments ever undertaken in Indonesia and is considered a significant milestone in strengthening the downstream oil and gas sector.
President Prabowo said that large-scale energy infrastructure development is a necessity for a country that wants to achieve economic independence and energy sovereignty.
“It makes no sense for a country to aspire to independence if it still relies on external food and energy. We must be able to produce our own energy,” Prabowo said in his remarks.
