Indonesia and Japan agree on critical minerals and nuclear energy cooperation
Jakarta — Indonesia and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in two strategic sectors, namely critical minerals and nuclear energy, during bilateral meetings held alongside the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum (IPEM) in Tokyo on Sunday.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated in a press release received in Jakarta on Sunday that the cooperation will strengthen a more integrated and sustainable energy system.
He emphasised that Indonesia is open to collaboration in critical minerals management, given that Indonesia possesses the world’s largest nickel reserves, as well as resources of bauxite, tin, copper, and rare earth metals.
“We are very open, and we cordially invite the Japanese government and Japanese business partners to jointly manage our critical minerals here in Indonesia,” said Bahlil.
In the same meeting, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Ryosei Akazawa stressed the importance of inter-country collaboration to address global uncertainty, in order to maintain energy resilience and supply sustainability.
“Amid the current global crisis situation, it is important for us to strengthen cooperation to maintain energy resilience. Japan itself has prepared strategic energy reserves as a precautionary measure,” he said.
Akazawa also reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to continue supporting various energy cooperation projects with Indonesia, including the completion of the Legok Nangka Waste-to-Energy Power Plant (PLTSa) as part of the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated that cooperation in the critical minerals sector will be directed towards strengthening the global supply chain to make it safer and more reliable, whilst nuclear energy cooperation will focus on developing low-carbon technology with high safety standards.
The two nations will subsequently continue discussions regarding strengthening regional energy resilience, including cooperation on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal supply chains, as well as accelerating energy transition projects under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework, such as the operation of the Sarulla geothermal power plant (PLTP) and the completion of the Legok Nangka Waste-to-Energy facility.
The cooperation between Indonesia and Japan is expected to strengthen energy resilience whilst supporting decarbonisation efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.