Sumber : Bisnis.com | 20 Oktober 2025

Indonesia Mining Association (IMA) menilai bahwa proyek hilirisasi batu bara, termasuk pengembangan dimethyl ether (DME) sebagai substitusi LPG, masih menghadapi tantangan besar dari sisi keekonomian dan kepastian regulasi.

Direktur Eksekutif IMA Hendra Sinadia, mengatakan bahwa hingga saat ini, banyak faktor yang memengaruhi kelayakan ekonomi proyek-proyek hilirisasi batubara.

"Coal downstream projects are still hampered by economic aspects, which are influenced by many factors, including expensive technology, collaboration with off-takers, the selling price of downstream coal products, financing, and others," Hendra told Bisnis on Monday (October 20, 2025).

Hendra menambahkan bahwa kepastian regulasi menjadi kunci untuk menarik investasi jangka panjang di sektor tersebut. Selain itu, kepastian dan jaminan regulasi yang stabil juga dinilai penting mendukung investasi jangka panjang.

Nevertheless, he appreciated the government's steps in providing fiscal incentives to accelerate coal downstreaming, such as 0% royalties for DME projects.

"The government has issued several incentives that deserve appreciation. However, returning to the first point, the economic aspect is influenced by many factors. The government certainly understands this issue," he said.

Furthermore, Hendra highlighted the government's plan to prepare non-fiscal incentives through the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to attract more investors in the downstream sector.

"Incentives in the form of SEZs certainly deserve appreciation because they are considered to be able to attract investment in projects that can absorb coal processing products and encourage coal downstream projects," he explained.

Namun demikian, dia menekankan bahwa keberhasilan proyek DME maupun bentuk hilirisasi lainnya tidak hanya bergantung pada insentif, tetapi juga koordinasi lintas sektor dan dukungan kebijakan yang konsisten.

"But of course, many other factors are equally important," he concluded.

Sebelumnya, Sekretaris Direktorat Jenderal Mineral dan Batubara (Minerba) ESDM Siti Sumilah Rita Susilawati mengatakan insentif tambahan untuk menggenjot proyek DME masih dalam tahap pengkajian.

"To date, there are no new regulations specifically regulating additional incentives for DME projects, other than the previously established 0% coal royalty for the volume used in DME production," Rita told Bisnis on Monday (October 20, 2025). She also mentioned the possibility of providing non-fiscal incentives through the establishment of special economic zones (SEZs). According to Rita, this stimulus is targeted to attract more investment.