Raka Dwi Novianto
IDXChannel - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a limited cabinet meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (31/5/2023) to discuss the planned development of the country's battery industry.
According to Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia, the United Kingdom (UK) plans to build a battery ecosystem in Indonesia.
"The directive is that we will accelerate it because this investment will be built in a green energy industrial area and will use wind power in Sulawesi in Bantaeng," Bahlil said in a statement after the meeting.
However, the President reminded that the project should be accelerated in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
"There are too many studies in this country, and then we forget the more important matters. So the President wants it to be accelerated. In September, everything must be completed," said Bahlil.
Furthermore, Bahlil said the UK consortium would collaborate with a number of global companies, including national company PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam). According to Bahlil, the development will range from mines to battery cells.
"The plan is to invest approximately USD9 billion. If we can speed it up, we will do it. This is an investment in building a car battery ecosystem from mines to battery cells," he said.
Bahlil also hopes that this investment is be able to produce battery cells of up to 20 gigawatt hour (GWh) in the first stage of production.
For the next stage, according to Bahlil, the production process can continue to be improved based on market demand both at home and abroad.
"In the future, it will definitely be increased based on domestic demand and for exports," said Bahlil. (WHY)
