KARAWANG, West Java (Bernama-ANTARA): Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed optimism that Indonesia can achieve energy self-sufficiency within the next five to six years, ANTARA News Agency reported.
He made the statement during a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Integrated Electric Vehicle Battery Industry Ecosystem project in Karawang, West Java, on Sunday.
"I have been informed by experts that our nation truly has the ability to achieve energy self-sufficiency, and based on my own calculations, it will not take long. In five years, six years at the latest, we can be energy self-sufficient,” he said.
The head of state explained that one of the key pillars of national energy independence is the utilisation of solar power.
President Prabowo stated that the battery technology to be produced in Karawang will play a vital role in efficiently storing and distributing solar energy.
"Solar power’s key lies in battery technology, and today we are witnessing that development,” he remarked.
According to the report he received, the current capacity generated at the facility stands at 15 gigawatts. However, to achieve full energy independence, Indonesia will need around 100 gigawatts.
"This means we need to multiply projects like this, and I believe our nation is capable of doing so,” Prabowo stated.
The electric vehicle battery industry project is a collaboration between the state-owned mining company ANTAM, the Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC), and a consortium of CATL, Brunp, and Lygend (CBL).
The project covers upstream to downstream processing and consists of six sub-projects, five of which are located in East Halmahera, North Maluku, and one in Karawang.
As part of the National Strategic Projects (PSN), the project investment totals US$5.9 billion and covers an area of 3,023 hectares.
It is expected to create up to 8,000 jobs and support the development of 18 infrastructure projects, including a multifunctional port. - Bernama-ANTARA
