Nuclear project in the bag

Nuclear project in the bag

SEMARANG: The government's controversial plan to build a
nuclear plant near here is most likely to go ahead despite strong
objection from environmentalists, an official said.

The project's feasibility study for the project on the Muria
peninsula, about an hour drive east of here, is yet to be
completed.

Sagala Hutabarat, a deputy chief of the National Atomic Energy
(Batan), said here Thursday that the government considers nuclear
energy the best option to meet the power shortage.

"However, the government is willing to listen to the public's
opinions, including to those opposed to the plan," Hutabarat told
Antara.

Hutabarat said nuclear energy is a good option to meet the
country's increasing demand for energy because other sources such
as oil, hydropower, geothermal or solar energy have "weaknesses".

For example, he said, water sources for hydropower projects
are getting scarce and existing projects are becoming less
effective.

Coal, an excellent alternative, is found mostly in the outer
islands. "Besides, the carbon dioxide emissions will certainly
wreck havoc on plant life, like in China," he said. (pan)