Pertamina promotes sorghum cultivation as a source for bioethanol. (Photo: iStock)
In response to the new government's energy self-sufficiency policy, Indonesia's state-owned oil company, Pertamina, is launching a pilot project for sorghum cultivation to be used as a bioethanol feedstock, thereby reducing reliance on imported wheat and other grains.
The company is also seeking breakthroughs in petrochemicals, geothermal energy, and carbon capture technologies to achieve its decarbonization goals.
Sorghum solution for food, energy sources
Oki Muraza, Senior Vice President of Innovation Technology at Pertamina, noted that sorghum is more suitable than sugarcane for bioethanol production. While sugarcane is a key raw material for sugar production, using it primarily for bioenergy could potentially lead to food shortages. Sorghum, on the other hand, can also be processed into flour or used as a substitute for wheat. Indonesia is a major importer of wheat, bringing in up to 10 million tons annually.
