First Recharging Station at Trans-Sumatra Toll Road Inaugurated

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 038.Pers/04/SJI/2021

Date: 27 January 2021

First Recharging Station at Trans-Sumatra Toll Road Inaugurated

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation of Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR), Agung Pribadi, said the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, virtually inaugurated the first public recharging station (SPKLU) at Trans-Sumatra toll road on Tuesday (26/1).

The SPKLU is located at Rest Area Km 20 B, the Bakaheuni-Kayu Agung section of the Trans-Sumatra toll road.

Coordinating Minister Luhut, who is also Head of the Coordination Team for Battery Electric Vehicle (KBLBB) Acceleration, expressed his appreciation to state energy company PT PLN (Persero) for supporting the acceleration of the KBLBB program in Indonesia. He hoped the public would be more enthusiastic about switching to electric vehicles.

Luhut also expressed his optimism that Indonesia could compete in the electric vehicle battery industry.

"Indonesia has the potential to become the second largest lithium producer in the world after the People's Republic of China (PRC). Indonesia's various nickel reserves will enable our country to compete in the market," he said.

Luhut went on to say that lithium is used in batteries, not only for electric vehicles but also for energy storage. Energy storage is useful for rural areas as it can stabilize electricity supply at night.

Director of Electricity Tecnique and Environment of Ministry of EMR, Wanhar, who was present at the inauguration, also expressed his appreciation to PT PLN (Persero). In the future, the state-owned company has planned to install a number of SPKLU, namely at Rest Area Km 49 A to Palembang, Rest Area Km 116 B to Bakeheuni, and Rest Area Km 234 A to Palembang.

"Thank you, especially to PLN, who has gradually realized the SPKLU infrastructure at the national level, especially at the Trans-Sumatra toll road. This is SPKLU number 101, and we're looking forward to other SPKLU in all corners of our country," said Wanhar.

According to Ministry of EMR data, there are 101 charging station units at 73 locations. These units are located at public filling stations (SPBU), natural gas filling stations (SPBG), offices, hotels, shopping centers, parking lots, and rest areas along toll roads. According to the provisions of EMR Ministerial Regulation Number 13 of 2020, PT PLN (Persero) is assigned to provide recharging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The company has planned to install up to 254,181 units in the next ten years. With more and more stations have become operational, the public interest in switching to electric vehicles is expected to increase. (IY)

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation

Agung Pribadi (08112213555)

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