Jakarta, Oct. 26 -- Indonesia's roadmap to mandate a 50 percent bioethanol fuel blend (E50) could require the construction of 320 new ethanol plants across the country, according to Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto.

Speaking at the Danantara Technology & Innovation Investment Forum 2026 on Monday, Yuliarto stated that building the processing facilities-each with a capacity of 60,000 kiloliters-is essential to satisfy national demand and slash fossil fuel imports.

"To meet the requirements for E50, we need to build 320 ethanol plants, each with a capacity of 60,000 kiloliters," Yuliarto said, highlighting that the initiative aims to redirect up to $50 billion in annual energy import spending toward loca...