Russia offers cooperation on nuclear power plant and aluminium processing in West Kalimantan
Pontianak – Russia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov has offered cooperation on the development of nuclear power plants (NPPs), construction of an aluminium processing factory, and educational collaboration to the Government of West Kalimantan Province.
“First and foremost, we wish to offer the application of competent nuclear power plant management technology. Our purpose in visiting West Kalimantan is to introduce the nuclear power plant development technology we possess whilst exploring cooperation opportunities,” said Tolchenov in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Friday.
This was conveyed by Tolchenov during a visit and meeting with West Kalimantan Governor, Ria Norsan in Pontianak. He stated that this visit marked his first to West Kalimantan in order to introduce Russia’s technology, particularly in the field of nuclear energy.
He explained that his side requested the West Kalimantan Provincial Government to identify strategic partners in plans for NPP development, an aluminium factory, and educational cooperation. Russia, he continued, would examine the possibility of concrete projects that could be realised jointly with the regional government.
“From this meeting, we see a positive response from the West Kalimantan Provincial Government and we hope this becomes a good beginning for future cooperation. We will continue to update developments in this discussion,” he said.
According to Tolchenov, the realisation of cooperation, particularly in the field of nuclear energy, depends greatly on the readiness of the Indonesian Government and West Kalimantan Provincial Government. If the cooperation space is formally opened, Russia expressed its readiness to follow up.
“Everything depends on the readiness of the Indonesian and West Kalimantan governments. We await official response from the West Kalimantan Provincial Government regarding this plan,” he said.
During the visit, Tolchenov brought a number of Russian investors, including from the bauxite mining sector, aluminium processing, and nuclear energy companies.
A representative of Russian nuclear energy company Rosatom, Anna Belokoneva, stated that her company possesses reactor technology capable of producing electricity from 100 to 1,200 megawatts per unit with high safety standards.
“We ensure that the technology we possess is safe for both the environment and humanity. We have worked with a number of international partners and are ready to explore cooperation with Indonesia, including West Kalimantan which has great potential,” she said.
Belokoneva added that should the Indonesian government and West Kalimantan Provincial Government declare readiness, her company would welcome and follow up on such cooperation in accordance with applicable regulations.
Meanwhile, a representative of Russian aluminium company Rusal, Aleksey Mirskiy, offered investment for the construction of an aluminium processing factory in West Kalimantan.
“We are ready to build an aluminium processing factory in West Kalimantan. We already have similar facilities in Russia and, if agreeable, we invite the Governor to directly inspect our factory so he can see the management system we apply,” he said.
According to him, West Kalimantan’s large bauxite potential presents a strategic opportunity for the development of aluminium downstream industry.
West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan welcomed the cooperation offer. She revealed that the West Kalimantan Provincial Government has prepared a location for NPP development on Semesak Island, Bengkayang Regency, and is currently seeking interested investors.
“For NPP development, we have already prepared a location on Semesak Island, Bengkayang Regency. We are indeed seeking investors. If Russia is willing to be an investor, certainly we welcome it,” said Norsan.
She added that West Kalimantan possesses natural resource potential, including bauxite, which can support the development of energy-based industry and mineral downstream development.
However, Norsan emphasised that further discussion will be coordinated with the central government, particularly the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), given that the NPP project is a matter of national strategic authority.
“Of course we will coordinate with the Ministry of ESDM for further process. Technical discussions and cooperation mechanisms will be discussed jointly with the central government,” she said.
Beyond the energy and industry sectors, Russia also offered cooperation in the field of education. Tolchenov mentioned that every year the Russian government provides hundreds of scholarships for Indonesian students, in both technology and socio-cultural fields.
He encouraged West Kalimantan students to take advantage of these opportunities to enhance human resource capacity, including in technology transfer.
As a follow-up, the Russian Embassy will also hold an investment exhibition on 6–9 July in Jakarta and invites the West Kalimantan Governor to attend this event.
“This meeting represents an initial step in exploring strategic cooperation between West Kalimantan and Russia, particularly in the energy sector, industrial downstream development, and strengthening educational capacity,” said Norsan.