Category: Commodities

Indonesia has signed 12 agreements on renewable energy at the International Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2024 in Jakarta on 5-6 September 2024, cooperating with various partners. While interest in the sector is high, implementing the projects is the biggest challenge.

Thermal coal was last traded at US$139.5 per ton. Weaker demand due to more aggressive energy transition in China might have contributed to the correction from peak, but the latest price remains very profitable for most coal miners in Indonesia, including the small players.

Concerns over slowing demand in two of the world’s largest markets, USA and China, and potential higher supply from Libya have weighed on recovery of crude oil from its 14-month low. Brent crude oil was traded at US$72.8 per barrel Thursday (Sep 6), while natural gas hovers around US$2.2 per MMBTU, way below the year’s peak.

HKSE-listed Lygend Resources Ltd, partner of Harita Nickel (NCKL) in development of nickel smelters in Obi Island, North Maluku province, reported net profit attributable to owners of the parent amounted to RMB586.9 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 73.5%. 

Singaporean Prime Minister Laurence Wong expresses the interest and commitment of several Singaporean companies to invest in Indonesia, including the potential of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), industrial estates, and power plants in Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) zone. The Prime Minister stated that Indonesia has great CCS potential and Singapore will be a CCS user. He hopes that both countries will work closely together.

Salim Group, which has interests in agriculture, automotive, finance, food & beverage, property, energy, mining (including coal) infrastructure, and technology, has long entered renewable energy business. Through Tamaris Hydro, for example, Salim is one of key developers of small hydropower projects in the country.

In supporting the country’s energy transition program, the Government has developed targets for the use of new renewable energy at 23% by 2025. This target might not be achieveable, but some continue to invest in the sector.

Thousands of excavators have gradually arrived in Merauke, South Papua province, imported from China by the Jhonlin Group (owned by Haji Isam). Jhonlin Group already signed an order for 2,000 excavators from Chinese heavy equipment SANY on June 26, 2024 in Shanghai, China, worth Rp4 trillion. The order has been claimed as the world’s largest international order for excavators, which will be used in agricultural projects in the country.

Nickel has been hovering above US$16,000 per ton in the past few days, giving some reliefs to those betting heavily in the commodity. First half results of IDX-listed nickel producers were mostly under pressure, including those entering the industry behind the curve.