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Indonesia’s Bold Strategy Toward Zero Gasoline Imports by 2027

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Strategi Berani Indonesia Menuju Bebas Impor Bensin 2027. Sumber: Metro TV

January 2026 marks the boldest statement in the history of national energy policy. Before the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, drew a clear line in the sand: Indonesia must no longer be dictated by foreign interests through fuel import dependency. Driven by President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, the government is accelerating toward total energy sovereignty, with an ambitious target to halt all imports of finished gasoline by 2027.

E10 Bioethanol: The Forex-Saving Substitution Weapon

A primary pillar of this strategy is the mandatory implementation of E10 (a 10% ethanol blend in gasoline). Bahlil revealed staggering figures regarding this policy’s potential. If the E10 mandate is fully executed, Indonesia could slash fuel imports by up to 3.9 million kiloliters (kL) per year.

This reduction is more than just a figure on paper. A drop in imports of that magnitude translates to massive savings in foreign exchange reserves, which previously leaked abroad. Ethanol is positioned as a strategic substitute for RON 92, 95, and 98 fuels. However, the minister emphasized that the current major challenge is boosting domestic ethanol production to ensure that E10 raw materials originate entirely from Indonesian soil, rather than opening a new door for ethanol imports.

The 2027 Roadmap: Stop Gasoline Imports, Focus on Crude

Bahlil’s vision is highly specific: by 2027, Indonesia aims to no longer import finished gasoline products. Instead, Indonesia will only import crude oil to be processed in domestic refineries.

Why is this strategy vital?

  • Added Value: Domestic processing ensures that economic added value remains within Indonesia.

  • Job Creation: The operation of refineries and the bioethanol industry will create millions of new jobs for the nation.

  • Technical Sovereignty: Indonesia gains full control over fuel stocks and quality without relying on the finished product supply chains of other nations.

“By 2027, we must not import anymore. I have instructed Pertamina—leading meetings until 2 AM—to ensure we are capable of producing it ourselves,” Bahlil stated, underscoring the government’s intensity in pursuing this target.

RDMP Balikpapan: The Engine of Independence

This zero-import target is not merely a political promise; it is backed by physical infrastructure. The inauguration of the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) Balikpapan marks a new historic milestone. This giant refinery is projected to be the main engine of energy independence, with a production capacity for diesel and gasoline reaching 5.8 million kiloliters.

The presence of RDMP Balikpapan will drastically alter our energy landscape:

  • 2025: Fuel imports still hover between 24–25 million kL.

  • 2026: With the RDMP in full operation, that figure is targeted to drop sharply to 19 million kL.

  • 2027: The target for the total elimination of finished gasoline imports.

Challenging Foreign Dominance in the Energy Sector

In a statement filled with emotion and resolve, Bahlil suggested that the long-standing import dependency was “by design” to keep Indonesia reliant on foreign parties. He loudly positioned himself as an anti-import minister.

“When we talk about sovereignty, foreign entities must not intervene. If we talk about sovereignty but still think with a foreign mindset, it’s useless—and I do not want to be an ESDM Minister who is controlled by foreign interests.”

This statement reaffirms that the energy transition in Indonesia is not just an environmental issue, but a matter of national pride. Energy independence is a non-negotiable price to ensure Indonesia is not easily pressured when making national strategic policies.

The courageous step toward E10 and the optimization of the RDMP Balikpapan refinery are proof that Indonesia is resisting the status quo of energy dependency. With the 2027 zero-gasoline-import target, Indonesia is preparing to become a self-sufficient energy giant, where every drop of fuel powering the people’s engines is a product of its own land and hard work.