Bahlil: Nuclear Development to Boost Energy Security

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia said the Indonesian government is assessing the development of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in several regions, including the Riau Islands, to support national energy security.

Bahlil said the government had established partnerships with several countries in connection with plans to develop nuclear power. However, potential sites are still being studied and assessed, including to determine their feasibility.

“The Indonesian government has co-operated with several countries on nuclear power plants, and one of the locations still under study is in the Riau Islands,” Bahlil said in Jakarta on Monday.

He said that, in addition to the Riau Islands, the government was studying several other potential sites, including Halmahera, Kalimantan and Sumatra.

Regarding plans to build an NPP in Halmahera, Bahlil said the government was still examining the possibility of working with Russia.

“The nuclear power plant planned for Halmahera is, if I am not mistaken, currently being studied in relation to co-operation with Russia. There are also several locations in Kalimantan and Sumatra, one of which is in the Riau Islands,” he said.

Bahlil stressed that the government would first conduct a feasibility study (FS) before deciding whether to develop NPPs at these sites.

“We are studying this first and considering it. Only once it has passed the feasibility study will we proceed,” he said.

He added that any country partnering in nuclear development must have proven capabilities and a strong track record in the field.

Previously, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said nuclear research by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and other government institutions was being directed towards energy and healthcare needs, including the construction of NPPs.

Prasetyo, who is also the Indonesian President’s spokesperson, said BRIN had showcased nuclear research and innovation at the Presidential Palace on 6 August, including technology readiness to support NPP construction.

At the exhibition, BRIN researchers said they were ready to support the government’s plans to build NPPs.

The researchers also said Indonesia had an estimated 89,000 tonnes of uranium and 143,000 tonnes of thorium. They have also succeeded in purifying uranium to a level of 60 per cent.