TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi inaugurated a lithium battery anode factory in the special economic zone in Kendal today, Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Jokowi said the anode factory is expected to support Indonesia’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

PT Indonesia BTR New Energy Material carried out the development of the lithium battery anode factory with a first-phase investment of over US$478 million. Developed over the course of 10 months, the factory is expected to produce as many as 80,000 tons of battery anodes per year.

It is claimed that the factory is the biggest one yet in the world. After the construction of phases I and II are finished, Indonesia is projected to become the world’s second-biggest lithium-ion battery anode producer with a total production of over 160,000 tons.

"The production would support 1.5 million units of electric cars. And with the additional 80,000 tons production, (the batteries) will support 3 million units of electric cars per year,” said Jokowi in his speech.

Jokowi admitted that Indonesia would still import natural graphite from Africa to produce the battery anodes. However, Pertamina’s refinery in Riau would supply the artificial graphite.

"As for the lithium battery industry, we are importing the lithium from Australia, but would domestically supply the nickel. If we manage to integrate everything to become products with a higher value, we will become a prominent player in the global supply chain,” he said.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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