Rosatom Continues to Explore Potential for Floating Nuclear Power Plants in Indonesia

Russian nuclear industry company Rosatom is continuing efforts to reach a concrete agreement regarding plans to build floating nuclear power plants (PLTN) in Indonesia. Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev stated that placing nuclear reactors on ships or barges is more relevant and efficient for Indonesia compared to building conventional land-based power infrastructure. According to Likhachev, in a transcript of an interview from the Russian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia and other ASEAN countries have geographical characteristics dominated by archipelagos and long coastlines. “To date, Russia is the only country in the world operating a commercial floating nuclear power plant, the Akademik Lomonosov, since 2020,” he said. Likhachev noted that Rosatom’s efforts to explore cooperation with Indonesia are a follow-up to the Indonesian government’s interest in utilising nuclear technology for its energy transition. “Indonesia is showing great interest in nuclear technology. At the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto, a Rosatom delegation visited Indonesia a few weeks ago,” Likhachev said on the sidelines of the Russia-ASEAN Summit in Kazan, Russia. He said the main focus of discussions with President Prabowo was directed towards the construction of floating nuclear reactors, involving Indonesian businesses to support technology localisation. ASEAN is projected to absorb up to 25 percent of global electricity consumption growth over the next decade. To strengthen its position in the regional market, Rosatom is also exploring strategic partnerships with several other ASEAN member states. In Vietnam, Russia is accelerating work on two power units based on the Leningrad design, as well as a Nuclear Science and Technology Centre. Rosatom also recently signed an intergovernmental agreement with Laos regarding small-capacity land-based nuclear solutions and completed the initial regulatory framework for the procurement of a floating nuclear power plant with the Philippines. As further evidence, Likhachev pointed to the success of the 1,200 MW nuclear power plant project in Bangladesh, which is currently in the commissioning phase. “With all ASEAN countries, we have personnel training projects and cooperation in scientific research. We also encourage cooperation in digital competencies, advanced materials, additive manufacturing technologies, and nuclear medicine,” Likhachev said.