By Abbas Nazil
Indonesia is exploring microalgae as a potential feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel as the government seeks to expand cleaner energy sources and reduce emissions from the aviation sector.
Indonesia’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and Energy, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, said the government was studying the potential of microalgae to produce sustainable aviation fuel as part of its wider efforts to develop domestic biofuel resources.
Hashim said he had received instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to examine the potential of microalgae for green fuel production, adding another possible pathway to Indonesia’s developing sustainable aviation fuel industry.
Microalgae are microscopic organisms that can produce oils and other compounds that can be processed into fuel, making them an emerging option for countries seeking alternatives to petroleum-based aviation fuels.
The Indonesian government is interested in the resource partly because microalgae can potentially be cultivated using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide, while producing biomass that can be processed into energy products.
The development of microalgae-based fuel is being considered alongside other sustainable aviation fuel feedstocks already being explored in Indonesia, including used cooking oil and agricultural residues.
Indonesia is seeking to build a domestic sustainable aviation fuel industry as it works to reduce aviation emissions and strengthen energy security.
The government has also been preparing for the wider introduction of sustainable aviation fuel into commercial aviation, with plans for initial use on international flights and gradual expansion.
Officials have said sustainable aviation fuel is expected to begin being used in Indonesia from 2027, initially targeting one per cent of international flights departing from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
The country is also working to develop its sustainable aviation fuel supply chain domestically, from the sourcing of raw materials to processing and distribution.
State energy company Pertamina has separately partnered with Boeing to explore opportunities for developing Indonesia’s sustainable aviation fuel ecosystem, including identifying feedstocks, advancing technology and supporting policy development.
Microalgae could provide an additional source of raw material if researchers and industry can overcome challenges associated with large-scale cultivation, processing costs and the technology required to convert the biomass into aviation-grade fuel.
Recent research has identified microalgae as a promising potential feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel because of their rapid growth, relatively high oil content and ability to be cultivated without directly competing with food crops for conventional agricultural land.
However, scientists have also highlighted the need to assess the full environmental and economic costs of algae-based fuel production, including energy, water, nutrients and processing requirements.
For Indonesia, the exploration of microalgae represents another attempt to diversify renewable fuel resources while supporting its efforts to decarbonise aviation.
If the technology can become commercially viable at scale, microalgae could eventually complement other sustainable feedstocks and contribute to Indonesia’s efforts to develop a lower-emission aviation industry.
