Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

As Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming, Bahlil Previously Targeted Rp618 Trillion Megaprojects

| Source: CNBC Translated from Indonesian | Economy
As Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming, Bahlil Previously Targeted Rp618 Trillion Megaprojects
Image: CNBC

President Prabowo Subianto has inaugurated Bahlil Lahadalia as the Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition. Currently, Bahlil also retains his position as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

In addition to these two roles, Bahlള്‍ has also served as the Chairman of the Downstreaming and Energy Security Task Force since January 2025. Shortly after assuming this chairmanship, he initiated 18 downstreaming megaprojects with a total investment reaching US$38.63 billion, or approximately Rp618.3 trillion, as announced in July 2025.

These 18 downstreaming projects were initially presented as Pre-Feasibility Studies (Pre-FS) and submitted to the Investment Management Agency (BPI) Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara). Currently, several projects from this list have already entered the construction phase.

“We have approximately 18 projects with completed Pre-FS, addressed to the Head of Danantara, with a total investment of US$38.63 billion or equivalent to Rp618.13 trillion. This is separate from the specific electric vehicle battery ecosystem that we will build following the President’s directives during the cabinet meeting,” Bahlil stated during the Handover Ceremony of Pre-Feasibility Study Documents for National Downstreaming and Energy Security Priority Projects at the Ministry of ESDM Building, Jakarta, in July 2025.

He noted that the 18 projects consist of eight downstreaming projects in the mineral and coal sectors, two energy transition projects, two energy security projects, three agricultural downstreaming projects, and three maritime and fisheries downstreaming projects.

“We have gone through a long process in various studies for these FS. It involved discussions, in-depth studies between teams, involving academics, other stakeholders, inviting entrepreneurs, and inviting technology experts,” he said.

According to presentations from the Ministry of ESDM, the mineral and coal downstreaming projects are the largest, comprising eight projects worth US$20.1 billion with the potential to absorb 104,974 workers.

Furthermore, agricultural sector projects are valued at US$444.3 million with a potential for 23,950 workers, while maritime and fisheries downstreaming projects are valued at US$1.08 billion with a potential for 67,100 workers.

Energy transition projects are valued at US$2.5 billion with a potential for 29,652 workers, followed by energy security projects valued at US$14.5 billion with a potential for 50,960 workers. Overall, these 18 projects have the potential to create 276,636 direct and indirect jobs.

The list of the 18 downstreaming projects includes:

  • Aluminium Smelter Industry (bauxite) in Mempawah, West Kalimantan. Investment value: Rp60 trillion; estimated jobs: 14,700.

  • DME Industry (coal downstreaming) in six locations: Bulungan, East Kutai, Kota Baru, Muara Enim, Pali, and Banyuasin. Investment value: Rp164 trillion; estimated jobs: 34,800.

  • Asphalt Industry (Buton asphalt) in Buton, Southeast Sulawesi. Investment value: Rp1.49 trillion; estimated jobs: 3,450.

  • Manganese Sulphate Industry (manganese) in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. Investment value: Rp3.05 trillion; estimated jobs: 5,224.

  • Stainless Steel Slab Industry (nickel) in Morowali Industrial Area, Central Sulawesi. Investment value: Rp38.4 trillion; estimated jobs: 12,000.

  • Copper Rod, Wire & Tube Industry (copper cathode) in Gresik, East Java. Investment value: Rp19.2 trillion; estimated jobs: 9,700.

  • Iron and Steel Industry (iron sand) in Sarmi Regency, Papua. Investment value: Rp19 trillion; estimated jobs: 18,000.

  • Chemical Grade Alumina Industry (bauxite) in Kendawangan, West Kalimantan. Investment value: Rp17.3 trillion; estimated jobs: 7,100.

  • Oleoresins Industry (Nutmeg) in Fakfak Regency, West Papua. Investment value: Rp1.8 trillion; estimated jobs: 1,850.

  • Oleofood Industry (Palm oil) in KEK Maloy Batuta Trans East Kalimantan (MBTK). Investment value: Rp3 trillion; estimated jobs: 4,800.

  • Nata de coco, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), coconut flour, and activated carbon industry (coconut) in Tayan Industrial Area, Riau. Investment value: Rp2.3 trillion; estimated jobs: 22,100.

  • Industrial Chlor Alkali Plant (salt) in Aceh, East Kalimantan, East Java, South Sumatra, Riau, Banten, and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Investment value: Rp16 trillion; estimated jobs: 33,000.

  • Tilapia Fillet Industry in Banten, West Java, Central Java, and East Java. Investment value: Rp1 trillion; estimated jobs: 27,600.

  • Carrageenan Industry (Seaweed) in Kupang, NTT. Investment value: Rp212 billion; estimated jobs: 1,700.

  • Oil Refinery in Lhokseumawe, Sibolga, Natuna, Cilegon, Sukabumi, Semarang, Surabaya, Sampang, Pontianak, Badung (Bali), Bima, Ende, Makassar, Dongala, Bitung, Ambon, and North Halmahera, Fakfak. Investment value: Rp160 trillion; estimated jobs: 44,000.

  • Oil Storage Tanks in Lhokseumawe, Sibolga, Natuna, Cilegon, Sukabumi, Semarang, Surabaya, Sampang, Pontianak, Badung (Bali), Bima, Ende, Makassar, Dongala, Bitung, Ambon, North Halmahera, and Fakfak. Investment value: Rp72 trillion; estimated jobs: 6,960.

  • Integrated Solar Modules (Bauxite and Silica) in Batang Industrial Area, Central Java. Investment value: Rp24 trillion; estimated jobs: 19,500.

  • Bioavtur Industry (Used Cooking Oil) in KBN Maranda, Cikarang Industrial Area, and Karawang Industrial Area. Investment value: Rp16 trillion; estimated jobs: 10,152.

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