Driving National Progress, KAI Reinforces the Role of Railways in Indonesia’s Energy Transformation
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) continues to strengthen its energy sustainability roadmap by phased integration of biodiesel into its railway operations. This milestone underscores KAI’s full commitment to supporting the government’s policies aimed at expanding new and renewable energy (NRE) utilization, reinforcing national energy security, and curbing emissions within the transportation sector.
The fuel transformation within KAI's ecosystem has consistently aligned with the government's mandatory biodiesel directives. According to the company's environmental tracking data, fuel utilization across KAI's operations was recorded at B0 in 2017, advancing to B20 throughout 2018–2019, B30 in 2020–2022, B35 in 2023–2024, B40 in 2025–2026, and is currently progressing toward B50 in 2026.
KAI’s President Director, Bobby Rasyidin, stated that the transition from B0 to B50 demonstrates the critical importance of consistency in national energy policies, as well as the readiness of transport operators to translate such mandates into reliable public services.
"Indonesia's energy transformation requires a transportation sector capable of adapting in a measurable manner. KAI reinforces the pivotal role of railways through our biodiesel roadmap from B0 to B50, ensuring that every phase advances in harmony with safety, service reliability, energy efficiency, and emission reduction,"
According to Bobby, the railway sector occupies a highly strategic position, balancing public mobility, freight distribution networks, and the overarching decarbonization agenda. Given the massive scale of its operations, every energy efficiency milestone achieved by KAI directly impacts the continuity of public services and national logistics competitiveness.
"Railways work for the community and the national economy. Therefore, the energy transition within KAI must yield quantifiable benefits—ranging from uncompromised service reliability and optimized energy efficiency to a distinct, clear contribution toward sustainability,"
KAI’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, explained that the fuel transition is being executed progressively through rigorous technical coordination with the government and relevant research institutions. She noted that each phase must undergo exhaustive testing to match the demanding operational profile of railways, which involve heavy payloads, extended operating durations, and stringent rolling stock reliability standards.
"KAI fully backs the government's policy to expand eco-friendly energy utilization. Concurrently, we guarantee that each phase of biodiesel adoption undergoes stringent technical testing and evaluation, ensuring that services for our passengers and the logistics sector remain safe and dependable,"
Anne stated that KAI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), initiated the technical testing phases for B50 implementation within the railway sector in April 2026. This evaluation spans both locomotives and train generator sets (gensets) to assess performance, fuel consumption rates, emission profiles, and rolling stock durability under actual operational strains.
For the locomotive trials, KAI has deployed a CC206 locomotive operating the KA Sembrani train set. The locomotive trial commenced at the Sidotopo Depot, focusing on comparative fuel consumption analytics between B40 and B50. Meanwhile, the genset trial is being conducted on the MTU 2000 P02411 genset aboard the KA Bogowonto, situated at the Yogyakarta Train Depot.
The comprehensive genset testing protocol includes performance reviews, fuel consumption tests, emission monitoring for B40 and B50 blends, and a 6-hour static endurance test utilizing a load bank at maximum capacity. Following this, a 2,400-hour dynamic endurance test for the genset commenced on April 27, 2026, at the Lempuyangan Main Maintenance Depot (PUK Lempuyangan). Consequently, as of June 2026, KAI is actively in the technical monitoring and evaluation phase of these trial results prior to a wider B50 rollout.
"The test results will serve as KAI’s baseline for evaluation, particularly regarding engine performance, fuel efficiency, operational stability, filter durability, emission metrics, and asset maintenance demands. Our guiding principle is explicit: the energy transition must progress hand-in-hand with operational safety and reliability,"
The continuity of railway operations is also safeguarded by the government through subsidized fuel allocations. For operational demands relying on subsidized fuel, KAI coordinates closely with the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) and the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Task Force (SKK Migas), with the supply secured by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga. This synergy plays an essential role in sustaining train services that daily support the public and the national logistics sector.
Based on monitoring data as of June 5, 2026, KAI received a 2026 subsidized fuel quota totaling 214,342,000 liters. Up to that period, realized consumption reached 95,394,629 liters, or 44.51 percent of the total available quota, leaving a remaining balance of 118,947,371 liters.
"Government support via subsidized fuel ensures that railway services remain continuously available to the public and the logistics supply chain. During this energy transition phase, this support assists KAI in maintaining operational continuity while progressively preparing for low-emission energy alternatives,"
From a sustainability standpoint, the transition to B50 is embedded within KAI’s Strategic Decarbonization Action Program 2025–2030. Under this framework, the fuel transition from B35 to B50 is projected to mitigate emissions by 133,676 tons of CO₂e. This program stands as the single largest contributor toward KAI’s aggregate target across its three primary decarbonization programs—aiming for 166,873 tons of CO₂e—alongside carbon conservation/credits and electrical efficiency initiatives.
KAI also continues to refine its carbon footprint tracking through rigorous, data-driven methodologies. In a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted in partnership with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the operations of the Jabodetabek Commuter Line generated a carbon footprint of approximately 34.03 grams of CO₂e per passenger-kilometer. This analytical approach reinforces KAI's transparency in monitoring the environmental impacts of rail-based mass transit.
Bobby reaffirmed that KAI’s energy roadmap will remain strictly geared toward empowering the role of railways in Indonesia's energy transformation. He noted that environmental sustainability must advance alongside service reliability, as clean public transit must simultaneously remain safe, affordable, and responsive to public needs.
"The biodiesel roadmap from B0 to B50 underscores that railways hold a foundational role in Indonesia’s energy transformation. With continuous government backing, KAI will safeguard the reliability of our public transit and logistics operations, while amplifying our contribution to national energy security, emission reduction, and economic competitiveness,"
VP of Corporate Communication KAI