JAKARTA \u2013 The mining industry is beginning to explore electrification\nto reduce its reliance on diesel fuel and control operating costs. SUN,\nan energy and electrification solutions provider, is preparing to\ndevelop power generation capacity of up to 80 megawatts (MW), a 160\nmegawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage system and more than 1,000 electric\nvehicles to support mining operations in East Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
The development of the green mining ecosystem was marked by a\ngroundbreaking ceremony on 30 October 2026. The project integrates\nrenewable energy generation, battery storage, charging infrastructure,\nelectric vehicles and fleet management systems.<\/p>\n
SUN Mobility Director Karina Darmawan said electrification was\nincreasingly relevant to mining companies because reliance on diesel\nposed challenges involving costs, distribution and fuel supply\ncertainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the mining industry, electrification is no longer merely a\nsustainability strategy; it is a business decision to improve efficiency\nand competitiveness. Reliance on diesel brings challenges involving\ncosts, distribution and supply certainty. With technology continuing to\nadvance, mining companies now have more options to manage their energy\nneeds more efficiently and reliably,\u201d Karina said in a press release on\nWednesday (4 November 2026).<\/p>\n
The project includes plans to use a floating solar power plant at a\nvoid, or disused mine pit, that has filled with water. Using the area is\nexpected to add a source of renewable energy without requiring new\nland.<\/p>\n
The electricity generated by the solar plant will be supported by a\n160 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The system will store and\nregulate electricity supply in line with the mine\u2019s operational\nneeds.<\/p>\n
For transport, SUN is preparing to expand its fleet by more than\n1,000 electric vehicles. The fleet will include light operational\nvehicles and vehicles supporting mining logistics.<\/p>\n
The ecosystem will also include electric vehicle charging stations,\nworkshop facilities, maintenance services and a Fleet Management System\nto monitor and manage vehicle use.<\/p>\n
Karina said mining electrification required all supporting\ninfrastructure to be ready, rather than simply replacing diesel-powered\nvehicles with electric ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cMining electrification is not just about replacing diesel vehicles\nwith electric vehicles. The most important thing is to ensure the entire\necosystem is ready, including energy supply, charging stations,\nworkshops, maintenance and fleet management systems,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The initial investment required is also a challenge for mining\ncompanies adopting the technology. To address this, SUN is offering an\nElectrification as a Service business model that allows companies to use\nelectrification services without upfront capital expenditure (CAPEX),\ndepending on the scope of services and partnership arrangements.<\/p>\n
Under the model, SUN provides planning, infrastructure construction,\ntechnology, and operational management and maintenance. Mining companies\ncan use the services without having to build all the electrification\ninfrastructure themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough a service model without upfront investment, we want to make\nit easier for customers to adopt electrification while providing\ncertainty of operational support. This implementation is the first step\ntowards broader development, including the expansion of more than 1,000\nelectric vehicles,\u201d Karina said.<\/p>\n
SUN says integrating renewable energy, battery storage and electric\nvehicles could reduce the mining industry\u2019s reliance on diesel fuel\ndistribution. Integrated management of energy and fleets is also\nexpected to improve the efficiency of mining operations.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sun-develops-green-mining-ecosystem-in-east-kalimantan-1793793109", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }