Indonesia First Export of Electric Vehicle Batteries from Weda Bay

CENTRAL HALMAHERA, GARISBUMI.com – Indonesia launched its first export of electric vehicle batteries from the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) area, Central Halmahera, North Maluku, Thursday (8/10/2026). This momentum was accompanied by the launch of 11 downstream projects worth 10.2 billion US dollars or around IDR 180 trillion.

President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the export while emphasizing the industry's responsibility in managing waste and maintaining water and air quality around operational areas.

The development of the battery industry is part of efforts to increase the added value of mining products and strengthen Indonesia's position in the electric vehicle supply chain.

"The downstreaming that we are carrying out today is part of nation building which requires a long journey. This first export of electric batteries is clear proof that the direction of the national downstreaming policy is on the right track," said Prabowo.

The President also appreciated the cooperation between the government, regional managers and global investors. He emphasized the importance of investment certainty, strategic partnerships and environmental sustainability in industrial development.

The Coordinating Minister for Energy Downstreaming and Transition and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, also accompanied the President on this agenda.

Investment of IDR 180 Trillion for 11 Industrial Projects

The downstream program launched includes four projects that have entered the commercial and export stage, with an investment value of 3.4 billion US dollars or around IDR 60 trillion.

The four projects include production facilities for nickel-based battery materials, electric vehicle batteries, aluminum electrolytes, and electric-based heavy equipment.

Meanwhile, seven new projects worth US$6.8 billion are entering the groundbreaking stage. The project includes an electric vehicle battery separator factory which is said to be the first in Indonesia, battery electrolytes, aluminum components, heavy equipment and mining electric trucks, as well as a photovoltaic glass factory for the solar energy industry.

The entire project is projected to create more than 10,000 new jobs. Its presence will increase labor absorption in the area which has reached 117,000 people.

The Coordinating Ministry for Energy Downstreaming and Transition is tasked with aligning cross-ministerial programs so that industrial development accelerates and produces products with higher added value.

Prabowo asks industry to protect water and air

In the midst of developing industrial areas, Prabowo asked business actors to pay strict attention to waste management. He also emphasized protecting water and air quality so that the benefits of investment can be felt by local communities and future generations.

"Pay attention to good waste management, we will face our future well, with a full sense of responsibility for our children and grandchildren," he said.

The Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, reported that the realization of national investment in the first semester of 2026 reached IDR 1,010.6 trillion. This figure grew 7.2 percent compared to the same period the previous year and absorbed more than 1.4 million workers.

According to Rosan, the contribution of downstreaming to total national investment has increased from 25 percent to 30 percent in the last two years. More than 75 percent of downstream investment locations are outside Java.

In North Maluku, the processing industry now contributes almost half of the province's gross regional domestic product. The development of production of electric vehicle batteries and solar energy components is part of a shift in regional economic activity, from mining to value-added manufacturing industries.