Indonesia breaks ground on $5.9 bn CATL-backed battery venture

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Nikkei Asia or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: On 30 June, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated construction of a $5.9 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem in Karawang, West Java
• Backed by CATL (see sustainability performance) and Indonesian partners, the project starts with a 6.9 GWh annual lithium-ion battery plant, with plans to scale to 15 GWh and add nickel mining, processing, and recycling operations 

🔭 The context: The initiative complements a 2022, ~$6 billion agreement establishing a vertically integrated battery supply chain — from nickel upstream operations to battery cell production — leveraging Indonesia’s abundant nickel reserves 

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This mega‑project accelerates EV supply chain localization, reducing reliance on processed nickel imports and supporting Indonesia’s target of producing 600,000 EVs annually by 2030
• It aligns with global efforts to curb emissions from transport and strengthen clean energy infrastructure

⏭️ What's next: The plant is set to begin operations by end‑2026. Expansion plans include scaling to 15 GWh for EVs and possibly 40 GWh if including solar storage cells
• Additional processing facilities will be installed in North Maluku
• Stakeholders will monitor environmental safeguards, local benefits, and integration into international markets

💬 One quote: “This program … can be called colossal, an extraordinary breakthrough.” – President Prabowo Subianto

📈 One stat: The facility’s initial battery capacity is 6.9 GWh, with expansion to 15 GWh, and potential total output reaching 40 GWh if solar‑storage batteries are included

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance green tech companies like of CATL, and BYD

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