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)