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)