PT Pertamina (Persero) is ready to develop an electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem in Indonesia by optimizing nickel reserves. "We are confident that with nickel reserves in Indonesia, we can produce batteries and increase EV penetration," said PT Pertamina Main Director Nicke Widyawati at the Indonesian Pavilion, World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as quoted from a written statement received in Jakarta, Sunday.

According to him, Pertamina has infrastructure that can be optimized for EV penetration and has segmentation data on characteristics, mobility and purchasing power. Apart from that, Pertamina also has more than 7,400 gas stations, 6,100 Pertashops, and 63,000 LPG outlets. Pertamina is also ready to collaborate with other parties from various countries to develop EV batteries and optimize its infrastructure. This commitment is also in line with the recommendations put forward by the Business 20-Task Force Energy, Sustainability, and Climate/B20-TF ESC, one of which is proposing policy recommendations to accelerate the development of the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. 

"We propose several policy recommendations and policy actions, especially how to accelerate EV penetration in each country," said Nicke, who also served as Chair of the B20-TF ESC during the G20 in 2022. In the event entitled "Indonesia Economic Development Through Downstream Industries and Inclusive Partnership", Nicke revealed the policy recommendations, including accelerating the use of sustainable energy, ensuring a fair and affordable transition, and increasing energy security.

To accelerate the use of sustainable energy, he said, Pertamina is targeting energy efficiency with electrification to be a determining factor for success. "There are demand-side energy efficiency targets, how to manage demand-side energy efficiency and we believe electrification is a key success factor," he said.

In addition, he also highlighted the need for financing, especially from developed countries, bearing in mind that the energy transition to renewable energy requires enormous capital investment so investment support is needed from developed countries. Next, the second policy recommendation, namely the need to ensure a fair and affordable transition. In this recommendation, he highlighted the need to prepare for a just transition from the sectors affected by the energy transition to related sectors.

He mentioned the need to ensure sustainable practices in accessing minerals to build new energy infrastructure that is clean and low carbon, including electric vehicles. The third recommendation is the need to increase energy security. "We need frameworks and regulations such as incentives to promote and accelerate the EV ecosystem," he said. B20-TF ESC is a business community that supports the G20 with impactful and actionable policy recommendations from a business perspective. B20-TF ESC has more than 150 members, with eight co-chairs selected from several countries with different types of energy.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Investment//Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia said the development of the EV ecosystem in Indonesia had started by involving foreign companies and BUMN, including Pertamina. There are at least four companies that have investment plans in Indonesia to support EV development, namely LG, CATL, Foxconn and BritishVolt. According to Bahlil, the government welcomes serious investors coming to Indonesia by providing easy licensing facilities and tax incentives.

Source: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3360303/pertamina-siap-kembangkan-ekosistem-baterai-ev-dengan-optimalkan-nikel