Banpu NEXT, a leading smart energy solutions provider in Asia-Pacific, is making its full foray into the battery business with subsidiary Durapower Holdings to become a vertically-integrated player in the battery business and build its capabilities to offer a wider range of products and services, while also expanding its customer base across the Asia-Pacific region.

Leveraging on its experience with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) deployments in APAC, Durapower partnered Banpu NEXT with a successful first rollout of the BESS at Banpu NEXT’s power plant and Banpu NEXT will soon introduce BESS to other business operations of the Banpu Group and offer this solution to enterprise customers to support its growing market demands and drive sustainable growth of the company’s battery business.

Durapower’s BESS, a high-performance, liquid-cooled, lithium-ion based containerised BESS, was established at Banpu NEXT’s Solar Hybrid Power Plant for self-consumption at an Indonesian mining site to meet operational demands. The systems are backed by stringent safety performance with multi-tier safeguards, and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation (UN ECE) certified cells and modules.

Durapower’s BESS integrated in a solar hybrid system is an effective opportunity for commercial and industrial operators to meet emission reduction and decarbonization targets. The BESS is the culmination of customisation expertise from Durapower’s extensive electric vehicle and Energy Storage System (ESS) experience, and regionalised supply chain access to help customers meet their rigorous operational targets while optimising budgets and timelines.

Over the years, Banpu NEXT and Durapower have jointly expanded their energy storage business. For example, lithium-ion batteries have been sourced from Durapower for solutions and energy services provided by Banpu NEXT, including MuvMi e-Tuk Tuk for Ride Sharing, electric cars for mobility sharing and e-Ferry services. To support inroads into the ESS market, the two companies also increased battery production capacity at their China manufacturing plant and have established a new battery assembly plant in Thailand.

Earlier this year, Banpu NEXT increased its existing shareholding in Durapower to 65.10%, turning its status into Durapower’s parent company.

Mr Sinon Vongkusolkit, Chief Executive Officer of Banpu NEXT, said “With our commitment to become the Net-Zero Energy Provider for all enterprises, we continue to strengthen our business ecosystem in alignment with Banpu Group’s ‘Greener & Smarter’ strategy. The increase in shareholding in Durapower, our subsidiary, will boost our competitiveness in the battery value chain, providing high power battery solutions for electric vehicles and energy storage systems with internationally recognized standards to our customers. Recently, we installed a 1 MWh Durapower BESS at our Bunyut Solar PV Hybrid power plant for self-consumption at an Indonesian mining site to transition towards more renewable sources to decarbonize the mine site operations for ITMG (Banpu Group’s subsidiary).

We are pursuing opportunities to integrate Durapower’s battery technology into our Smart Energy Solutions offering, such as EV fleets, smart microgrids, and battery farms. Furthermore, we will continue to scale up our Energy Storage business and offer closed-loop end-to-end battery solutions to our customers across the region.” Mr Sinon concluded.

Mr Kelvin Lim, Group Chief Executive Officer of Durapower, said “Our expertise in the development of battery materials, design and manufacturing of battery systems as well as lithium-ion battery technologies will propel business expansion with Banpu NEXT. With a strong focus and attention on sustainable energy transition, we are extending our proven products and service offerings to commercial and industrial operators of renewable energy power plants across the Asia-Pacific region to help them meet their emission reduction and decarbonization targets. Durapower’s BESS, designed with strong an engineering focus to achieve high power and high energy performance, has maintained a perfect safety track record over the past decade.”

About Banpu NEXT
Banpu NEXT Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Banpu PCL., is a leading smart energy solutions provider in Asia-Pacific. The company supports the transition to Net-Zero society. The five core businesses group of Banpu NEXT are Renewable Power, Energy Storage, Energy Trading, e-Mobility, and Smart City & Energy Management. With all these five businesses, the company boasts the capability to offer “Total Smart Energy Solutions”. Banpu NEXT is positioned as the long-term partner who combines technology and digital platform with its energy expertise to provide the best tailor-made solutions, empowering organizations to tap into infinite of clean energy, accelerate smart business transformation, while building up sustainable growth along with contribution to betterment for end-users’ life and society at large. For the Durapower shares, Banpu NEXT has invested approximately 65.10% shares.

About Durapower Group
Headquartered in Singapore, Durapower offers closed-loop, end-to-end energy storage solutions for the electric mobility and renewable energy applications including on and off-road Electric, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, electric marine vessel and stationary energy storage solutions. Since 2009, Durapower has been a leading innovator of Lithium-Ion cell technology, focusing on the research and development of battery materials, battery cell manufacturing and system integration. With a global presence spanning 24 countries and 49 cities, including European Countries, China, India and Southeast Asia. Durapower Group strives to make scalable, sustainable batteries that support the circular economy, empowering lives and transforming the future towards a carbon neutral economy.

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