Indonesia evaluates sites for maiden nuclear power plant

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is evaluating potential sites across several regions—including the Riau Islands and Halmahera—for its maiden nuclear power plant as part of broader efforts to strengthen long-term energy security, officials announced Monday.

Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia said the government is conducting rigorous feasibility studies and exploring partnerships with global nuclear technology leaders, including Russia, the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

"The Indonesian government has entered into collaborations with several countries for nuclear power plants. One of the potential sites currently under study is in the Riau Islands," Lahadalia told reporters in Jakarta.

In addition to the Riau Islands, authorities are assessing candidate locations in Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Halmahera, with the proposed Halmahera facility under assessment in cooperation with Russia.

Lahadalia emphasized that site selections will depend entirely on completed technical and safety evaluations, noting that prospective foreign partners must demonstrate flawless operational track records.

The government expects to finalize the location for its first nuclear facility by 2027 at the latest, targeting commercial operations by 2032 with an initial capacity of 250 megawatts, according to state utility PLN's development plan.

Under national long-term energy projections, nuclear capacity is targeted to expand to between 35 and 42 gigawatts by 2060, supplying up to 12.1 percent of Indonesia's primary energy mix.

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Translator: Ahmad Muzdaffar Fauzan, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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