At least three Austrian companies are studying the possibility of becoming involved in the "green energy" business in Indonesia to help boost the development of biodiesel.

"Energea, BioDiesel International and the Christof Group are discussing the biodiesel business with a number of leading Indonesian agribusiness companies," Austrian Commercial Counselor Raymund Gradt was quoted as saying by Tuesday's English daily The Jakarta Post.

"The three Austrian companies could provide the technology to build biodiesel refineries jointly with local firms," he said.

He declined, however, to name their Indonesian counterparts as the two sides had been in discussions for more than a year, but had yet to reach any deals.

The three Austrian companies are leading technology solution providers for biodiesel production and currently produce a total of 440,000 tons of biodiesel per annum, more than half of their country's annual demand of around 700,000-800,000 tons.

They are on a mission to leverage biodiesel production in connection with the European Union's program of increasing the contribution of green energy -- biodiesel and biofuel -- from 3.4 percent this year to 20 percent in 2020.

Austria, whose green-energy share already stands at 21 percent, wants to double this to 40 percent by then.

"Certain Austrian companies are also interested in acquiring biodiesel from Indonesia and are looking into the possibility of using jatropha as a raw material. This is because it's cheaper than palm oil, and can be used both in winter and summer," Gradt said.