Nuclear power plant set for 2010

JAKARTA: The government is considering to revive plans to build a nuclear power plant in 2010, Antara reported.

"We must develop the nuclear (field) in a bid to be respected (by other countries). We have the capability to do that," Research and Technology Minister Hatta Radjasa said Tuesday.

He expected the development of a plant located in northern coast of Central Java could produce nuclear power as one alternative energy source by 2015.

The Muria Peninsula project, which was postponed following public opposition in 1997, was prepared during the rule of president Soeharto by B.J. Habibie, who was then research and technology minister.

The project, which was designed as an 800-megawatt plant, would have been the first of 12 nuclear plants in the area. -- Antara