Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — The Indonesian government is set to introduce subsidized low-sulfur fuel considering its long-term benefits and as a major step to reduce air pollution and improve public health. This move aligns with the government’s goal of making vehicle emissions cleaner, particularly as current subsidized fuel like Pertalite has been criticized for its high sulfur content, contributing to air pollution in urban areas.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (KemenkoMarves), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, emphasized that transitioning to low-sulfur fuel could significantly improve air quality in Indonesia’s major cities. “Reducing the sulfur content in fuel can lower pollution indices by 50 to 60 points, potentially bringing our pollution levels from an average of 160 down to below 100,” Luhut stated at an event in Jakarta on September 20, 2024.
Currently, Pertalite fuel in Indonesia has a Research Octane Number (RON) of 90 and a sulfur content of 500 parts per million (ppm), which meets Euro 2 standards. In comparison, Euro 4 fuel, as regulated by Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, must have a minimum RON of 91, be lead-free, and contain a maximum sulfur content of 50 ppm. Only Pertamax Turbo and Pertamax Green 95 from Pertamina meet the Euro 4 standards, while Pertalite and Pertamax still fall under the outdated Euro 2 category.
What is Low-Sulfur Fuel?
Low-sulfur fuel refers to gasoline or diesel with reduced sulfur content, typically below 50 ppm, which is a key requirement for meeting Euro 4 emissions standards. In contrast, high-sulfur fuel, like Indonesia’s current Pertalite, contains up to 500 ppm of sulfur. Sulfur is a natural component of crude oil, and when fuel is burned, sulfur oxides are released into the air, contributing to smog and acid rain.
Governments worldwide have been moving toward low-sulfur fuels to meet global environmental targets and improve public health. Many developed countries, including the United States and those in the European Union, have mandated low-sulfur fuels for years, helping to significantly reduce air pollution in their major cities.
Harmful Effects of High-Sulfur Fuel
The continued use of high-sulfur fuel has severe consequences for both the environment and human health. Sulfur dioxide (SO2), one of the key pollutants released from burning high-sulfur fuel, reacts in the atmosphere to form fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which poses significant risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health.
Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can lead to lung diseases, heart attacks, and premature death. Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions are particularly vulnerable. High sulfur content in fuel also contributes to the formation of acid rain, which damages ecosystems, erodes buildings, and harms crops.
In urban areas, vehicles burning high-sulfur fuel are one of the largest sources of air pollution, creating smog that affects visibility and contributes to respiratory issues in the population. Major cities like Jakarta have been grappling with poor air quality, and experts believe that switching to low-sulfur fuel could be a crucial factor in reversing these trends.
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Low-Sulfur Fuel Long Term Health Benefits
The shift to low-sulfur fuel offers numerous benefits for the environment and public health. Reducing sulfur content in fuel lowers emissions of sulfur dioxide, which in turn reduces the formation of fine particulate matter and smog. This leads to better air quality, reducing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in urban populations.
Countries that have adopted low-sulfur fuel standards have seen significant improvements in air quality. Cleaner fuel also extends the life of vehicle engines and improves the efficiency of catalytic converters, which are designed to reduce harmful emissions.
As Indonesia prepares to join the ranks of countries embracing cleaner fuel standards, low sulfur fuel long-term benefits are clear, as communities are healthier while the air within the cities is cleaner.
(Raidi/Agung)
