The Indonesian government is aiming to make use of around two million hectares of sugarcane plantation in Papua region to expedite the development of bioethanol.
"Our plan is to use corn, sugarcane, or even seaweed (for making bioethanol). We have plenty of options," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan stated as quoted by Indonesian news agency (ANTARA).
The Indonesian Government has formed the Task Force for the Acceleration of Sugar and Bioethanol Self-sufficiency stationed in Merauke District, South Papua Province.
The government is currently in the process of calculating the rate of a subsidy dedicated to bioethanol fuel in a bid to tackle air pollution, Luhut Pandjaitan said.
Pandjaitan emphasised that the utilization of bioethanol as fuel serves as one of the quick steps to address air pollution issues in the country.
Speaking at an event titled "Jakarta Future Forum: Blue Horizons, Green Growth," the minister echoed the government's commitment to replacing fossil-based fuel with bioethanol.
Pandjaitan also remarked that the government had not ruled out the possibility of mixing ethanol with Pertalite, a type of gasoline offered by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina.
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