Kuala lumpur: B100, a 100 per cent palm oil-based biodiesel, has the potential to emerge as a more competitive and sustainable alternative energy source amid uncertainties arising from the West Asia crisis, said Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek. He said the B100 implementation, which is still at the policy stage, will kick off within the FELDA ecosystem first.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Shabery mentioned that the matter has been discussed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He emphasized the need for a supportive government policy, noting that there may be insufficient crude palm oil (CPO) supply to immediately roll out B100.

B100's factory price is estimated at about RM4.50 per litre, influenced by CPO prices. Ahmad Shabery highlighted that with an estimated price below RM5.00 per litre, B100 could reduce reliance on diesel, support domestic fuel price stabilization, and strengthen national energy security.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Shabery noted the necessity for FELDA and FGV Holdings Bhd to expand B100 biodiesel processing plant development to increase production capacity. He stated that discussions are underway to determine the form of partnership, whether full private sector involvement, government support, or other parties, to meet the requirement of raising B100 capacity.

The B100 biodiesel usage pilot project began in 2025, utilizing passenger vehicles for 15 months and covering over 50,000 kilometers. Ahmad Shabery also mentioned a four-month trial using tanker trucks conducted earlier in 2024.