Get ready to go nuclear: Soeharto

Get ready to go nuclear: Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that the use
of nuclear-propelled power plants in Indonesia might be
unavoidable in the future to meet the ever increasing domestic
energy needs.

"As of now, we have to prepare ourselves very carefully, to
begin using nuclear power to meet our energy needs in the
future," Soeharto said at the opening of a three-day workshop
meeting of the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Soeharto said the government is aware that the use of nuclear
energy still entails quite a risk and, therefore, the people need
to be thoroughly prepared.

The government's plan to build nuclear power plants around
Mount Muria on the northern coast of Central Java has met with
objections from the public, including environmentalists and
religious leaders.

They claim that a decision on whether to go ahead with the
construction of the nuclear power plant should rest with the
public.

Responding to the public furor, chief of the National Nuclear
Power Agency, Djali Ahimsa, said last month that the government
will hold an unprecedented public debate later this year on
whether or not Indonesia should turn to nuclear power.

The government has already commissioned a Japanese consultancy
firm to conduct a feasibility study on Indonesia's first nuclear
power plant.

Major international nuclear construction companies have
already been making their sales pitch to the government to bid
for the project although a final decision on whether or not to go
nuclear won't be made until next year.

Soeharto said yesterday that Indonesia should learn from other
countries' experiences in developing nuclear power plants, by
studying their failures and successes.

"We utilize the advantages they have made and examine the
problems and accidents which have happened in those countries, so
that we can avoid them," Soeharto said.

Djali said that nuclear power is the most reliable source to
meet the demand for 27,000 megawatts of electricity in Java and
Bali. To satisfy the demand, Indonesia would need seven to 12
nuclear rectors.

Construction

The government hopes that the construction of the first plant
could begin in the Ujungwatu village in Jepara, close to Mount
Muria, next year. The first power plant is expected to go into
operation in 2003, with a generating capacity of about 800
megawatts.

Soeharto said that nuclear power should be considered,
especially when all other energy sources are no longer
sufficient.

"We all know that sufficient energy supply is a prerequisite
for economic growth and, therefore, the development of energy --
especially electricity -- sources has to support the development
of other sectors.

"It is impossible for us to rely on oil as the only source of
energy. Its reserves, sooner or later, will not last," Soeharto
said.

He acknowledged that Indonesia still has alternative sources
of energy, including coal, water, wind and sun, which are not yet
exploited excessively. (rid)