Nuclear plant to start operation by 2004

Nuclear plant to start operation by 2004

JAKARTA (JP): The government reaffirmed its determination
yesterday to go ahead with its plan to build nuclear power plants
despite the unabated storms of protests.

The director general for the National Atomic Energy (BATAN)
Djali Ahimsa told members of the House of Representatives (DPR)
that a feasibility study had recommended Mount Muria in Central
Java as the suitable site.

The development of the plants would begin in 2000 and the
first unit is expected to go into operation four years later, he
told members of DPR commission VIII overseeing research and
technology.

The government's plan to build a nuclear reactor has met with
objections from the public. Environmentalists and religious
leaders have debated over Indonesia's actual need for and ability
to manage a nuclear plant.

Djali explained that preliminary feasibility studies showed
that nuclear plants with capacities of 600 and 900 megawatts
built in Ujungwatu village near the Muria mountain would be
suitable to supply Java and Bali with adequate electricity.

"A nuclear plant is a favorable solution," he said.

The electricity generated by the nuclear plants would also
have a "competitive cost" compared to that produced by a coal
power generator with the same capacity, he added.

Commission members criticized the government for failing to
provide the public with sound information on the plan, leaving
the people gripped by fear of the danger of nuclear power.

"If BATAN can really guarantee the safety of a nuclear
reactor, it should try to tell the public more about details of
the plan," said Jusman Thahar, a legislator from the Armed Forces
(ABRI) faction.

House member Laksmiari Priyonggo from the Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI), said that unless BATAN was more open
about its plan and more serious about its promotion, the public
and non-governmental organizations would continue attacking the
plan.

Laksmiari suggested that BATAN take the initiative in
conducting open discussions with the public and NGOs, especially
those strongly opposing the plan.

"Has BATAN considered researching the public's acceptance (of
the nuclear plans) and the likely psychological and social
economic impact of the plant?" she asked.

Laksmiari, referring to assurances given by State Minister of
Research and Technology B.J. Habibie that nuclear would be the
last option to be taken in the development of power generation,
asked whether BATAN's plan implies that Indonesia will have no
alternative by the year 2000. Djali sidestepped the question.

Nieke Iswardani Kunarya from the ruling Golkar group pointed
out that BATAN should provide more information to the villagers
who live near the plant, since they would be the ones most
effected.

BATAN's seminars so far, she said, have been "extremely
technical" and have been comprehensible to only "a very specific
group in society".

Djali said he has explained the benefits of nuclear energy to
legislators at Central Java's provincial and regency levels as
part of his promotion project.

Soedarjanto, a legislator from the PDI faction, said there was
a need for special laws and facilities to protect the people
living in the area in case of a nuclear accident.

"They have a right to such protection no matter how small the
likelihood of an accident or how sophisticated the technology
is," he said.