Indonesia to build 11 bio-diesel plants

The Indonesian government plans to build 11 bio-diesel plants to produce 26,000 tons of fuel a year, a senior official said Monday.

The program was aimed at reducing the country's reliance on fossil fuel, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said in an open hearing with legislators here.

The industry will use palm oil and cooking oil as the main materials, he said.

Purnomo said the government encourages the private sector to involve in the energy diversification program.

"At the meantime, a private company has obtained (government) license to produce bio-diesel and five more are still in the process of getting the license," said Purnomo.

Source: Xinhua