The Hon. Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. Bill Johnston, Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Hydrogen Industry, Industrial Relations (WA), Joint Media Release, 4 September 2023
Premier Roger Cook today addressed the Western Australia-Indonesia Energy Forum while on the Invest and Trade WA Indonesia Connect Roadshow.
The Western Australia-Indonesia Energy Forum held in Jakarta is a timely opportunity for both regions to collaborate and support future energy transition.
The forum also offers a chance for WA energy delegates and Indonesian stakeholders to discuss each market’s capabilities in new and renewable energies and critical minerals.
Outcomes from today’s forum include a commitment to ongoing engagement with Australia’s Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre, which will support future collaboration in battery and critical minerals supply chains.
WA representatives and KADIN (Indonesian Chamber of Commerce) discussed the opportunity for the State to support Indonesia with its ambitions to be a global leader in electrical vehicle manufacturing.
It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between WA and KADIN in February to support cooperation in developing a critical minerals supply chain, and promote investment and collaboration to develop value-adding critical minerals and battery industries.
With increased importance placed on securing critical minerals and battery supply chains to address climate change, the memorandum of understanding supports both WA’s and Indonesia’s economic objectives.
A Plan of Action was also signed by the Premier with KADIN in July during the Republic of Indonesia President Joko Widodo’s visit to Australia to promote future opportunities for collaboration.
At the Forum, the Premier invited KADIN to visit Perth and attend WA’s Green Energy Summit in November to better understand the State’s downstream battery mineral processing capabilities.
The Cook Government is currently leading the State’s largest overseas investment and trade mission.
The mission, led by Premier Cook, is made up of 130 WA business, industry, media and Government representatives, providing a platform to promote the State as a recognised and trusted partner in Indonesia.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
“The WA-Indonesia Energy Forum presents an invaluable opportunity to discuss face-to-face the decarbonisation of both our local and global economies.
“Both regions are in an enviable position for energy with Indonesia the world’s largest nickel mining and refining centre, and WA the world’s largest producer of lithium.
“I look forward to discussing further how we can seize upon these prospects for both regions.”
Comments attributed to Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
“With WA’s critical minerals and rare earth resources, our State is attracting significant global interest from markets such as Indonesia to support their transition to renewable energy.
“Through meetings with our Indonesian counterparts, we are exploring opportunities to grow participation in global battery and critical mineral supply chains and further strengthen value-adding and manufacturing industries.”
