Indonesia’s first EV battery export coincided with an 11-project, US$10.2 billion programme.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto launched the country’s first electric vehicle (EV) battery export and an 11-project industrial downstreaming programme at Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in Central Halmahera, North Maluku, on Thursday, 8 October 2026. The initiative carried a combined investment value of US$10.2 billion, equivalent to approximately Rp180 trillion, to increase domestic value added through natural resource processing.
Four facilities entered commercial operation with a combined investment of US$3.4 billion, while seven new developments worth US$6.8 billion moved into construction. President Prabowo inaugurated the programme at a ceremony attended by Indonesian government officials and company representatives.
“Today, we will launch the first export of electric vehicle batteries,” President Prabowo said, referring to Indonesia’s expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities.
The operational facilities were PT Blue Sparking Energy, which produces nickel-based battery materials; PT REPT Battero Indonesia, the Indonesian operation of Chinese battery manufacturer REPT BATTERO; PT Pioneer Aluminium Industries, an electrolytic aluminium producer; and PT XCMG Indonesia Manufacturing, the Indonesian arm of Chinese construction machinery maker XCMG.
The seven construction-stage ventures were PT Guang Ching Nickel Cobalt, PT Inno Prima Material, PT Tinci Materials Indonesia, PT Weda Bay Aluminium, PT Bintang Karya Aluminium, PT Flatsolar Energy Indonesia and Foton Guangqing Motor Indonesia. Their planned output included battery materials, separators and electrolytes, aluminium products, electric heavy vehicles and photovoltaic glass for solar energy applications.
Investment and Downstreaming Minister and Danantara Chief Executive Mr Rosan Perkasa Roeslani said the programme covered multiple stages of the EV supply chain, from battery inputs to finished products and equipment. The new facilities were projected to create more than 10,000 jobs, supplementing the 117,000 workers already employed at IWIP.
President Prabowo stressed that Indonesia’s natural resources must deliver benefits for its people. “We recognise that God Almighty has granted us very valuable and abundant natural resources. But we must manage these resources well so they can bring welfare and prosperity to our people and nation,” he said. He also urged companies to manage waste responsibly and safeguard local water and air quality for future generations.
Attendees included Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Mr Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Mr Bahlil Lahadalia, National Economic Council Chairman Mr Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, North Maluku Governor Ms Sherly Tjoanda and Tsingshan Industry Chairman Mr Xiang Guang Da.
Source: Indonesian Ministry of State Secretariat
