Navigating Indonesia’s Path to Nuclear Leadership: Commitment and Efforts in Nuclear Power Development

Indonesia's first president, Ir. Soekarno, once stated that to become a great nation, Indonesia must master nuclear and space technology (Soekarno, 1958). Since then, various efforts have been made to develop nuclear power science, especially in education, research, and industry. Indonesia now has three research reactors: the G. A. Siwabessy Multipurpose Reactor in Serpong, the Triga Mark II Reactor in Bandung, and the Kartini Reactor in Yogyakarta. These three reactors are used for research and radioisotope production, but Indonesia has not succeeded in realizing the construction of a Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN). In recent years, Indonesia has begun to review the use of nuclear energy, especially through the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology being developed by PLN Indonesia Power (PLN IP) and BRIN. This technology is considered more flexible and safer than conventional nuclear power plants. With the various challenges and opportunities, a big question arises: Is Indonesia ready to build a nuclear power plant? 

National Commitment and Efforts of the Indonesian Government

In the past decade, the use of fossil fuels, especially coal, in Indonesia's electricity generation sector has increased drastically. This has resulted in a spike in overall carbon emissions, which reached 86 million tons of CO2 (MtCO2) from 2013 to 2023.

Indonesia, the country with the largest economy in Southeast Asia, has expressed a strong stance and commitment to developing nuclear power plants in the next few years, supported by a mix of new and renewable energy. As one of the countries with the highest carbon emissions, this shows Indonesia's concrete steps in combating climate change.

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto at the Indonesia-Brazil Business Forum, in Rio de Janeiro (11/17/2024) has emphasized that Indonesia plans to design and produce its own nuclear reactors with a target capacity of 9 GW by 2040, as part of the addition of new power plants in the next 15 years. This is supported by the statement of the Indonesian Presidential Special Envoy for Climate and Energy Hashim Djojohadikusumo at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP), in Baku, Azerbaijan (11/11/2024) to continue the climate actions agreed by Indonesia, one of which is through the construction of nuclear power plants realized in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and floating SMR to serve smaller industries. The government has also announced plans to develop more than 20 nuclear power plants by 2050, strengthening its commitment to nuclear deployment. 

Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) cited that Indonesia's first nuclear power plant is targeted to operate in 2032 with a capacity of 250 Megawatts (MW). Its capacity will then increase to 3 GW in 2035 and 9 GW in 2040. Until 2060, there will be 35 GW to 42 GW of installed nuclear power plants in Indonesia.

Small Modular Reactor Technology

SMR is a type of nuclear reactor that is smaller than a conventional nuclear reactor. SMR is designed with a lower power capacity, usually below 300 megawatts of electricity (MWe) per unit, and has the advantage of modularity that allows mass production and flexibility in installation. This technology was developed to address energy challenges in various regions, including remote areas that are difficult to reach by conventional electricity networks, such as in Indonesia.

As one of the largest archipelagic countries with a population spread across various regions, Indonesia's electricity distribution is currently still uneven. Residents living in remote areas and on the outermost islands still rely heavily on diesel to generate electricity. Therefore, by utilizing SMR technology integrated with floating devices, such as ships, it is hoped that electricity distribution in Indonesia will be more even and can reach the outermost islands. Through PT PLN, the Indonesian government is collaborating with the United States, Japan, and South Korea to develop SMR technology. On the other hand, other countries such as Russia, China, and France have expressed strong interest in Indonesia's nuclear sector. 

National Energy Council and Strategic Locations for Nuclear Power Plant Development

National Energy Council (DEN) Stakeholder Member Agus Puji Prasetyono said there are 29 potential locations in Indonesia to build Nuclear Power Plants (PLTN), from North Sumatra to South Papua. The total electricity capacity that can be generated from these locations is estimated to reach 45 to 54 gigawatts. In determining the location for the construction of a PLTN, the government needs to reconsider three main aspects, including locations that are free from the risk of tsunamis, far from volcanoes, and not near active faults. However, from these potential locations, there are 4 priority areas, including West Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung, Southeast Sulawesi, and Halmahera in North Maluku.

For this reason, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) supports PLN Indonesia Power (PLN IP) in studying the application of NuScale SMR technology for the construction of a Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) in West Kalimantan. NuScale, a US vendor, has developed the VOYGR design, a modular reactor with a capacity of 77 MWe per module, which is flexible and can be adjusted to needs. This study aims to assess the technical, economic, and regulatory aspects of SMR in Indonesia, with BRIN acting as a provider of initial data and technology learning. PLN IP, BRIN, and NuScale have been collaborating since 2023 through an MoU and funding agreement with USTDA. Although the cost of electricity from SMR is slightly higher than large nuclear power plants, this technology is more competitive than diesel-fueled power plants and contributes to Indonesia's net zero emission target.

On the other hand, ThorCon, through its subsidiary in Indonesia, PT Thorcon Power Indonesia is preparing to build the TMSR500 nuclear power plant with a capacity of 500 MWe on Kelasa Island, Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Province in 2032. In early 2025, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN) received a request for Site Evaluation Approval for the TMSR500 nuclear power plant. The construction of nuclear power plants in Indonesia must follow the licensing process that includes site permit, construction permit, commissioning permit, and operating permit. 

Strategic Steps in Regulation Development and Preparation for NEPIO Formation

Regulations on nuclear energy continue to be reviewed and developed. Government Regulation No. 79 of 2014, Article 11, Paragraph 3 on the National Energy Policy states that nuclear energy should be considered as a last choice while ensuring strict safety measures. However, this regulation was later reviewed, leading to the Draft Law on New and Renewable Energy (RUU EBET) in 2022, which prioritizes nuclear energy as a key new energy source, supported by the establishment of a Nuclear Energy Council by the central government. Additionally, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia, through Ministerial Decree No. 250.K/HK.02/MEM/2021, initially formed a Preparation Team for the Establishment of the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO), which was later revised and updated through Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia No. 34.K/HK.02/MEM/2024.

The government's commitment to launching a nuclear power plant (PLTN) program is outlined in the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2005-2025, the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024, and related policies and regulations. To strengthen its national position on nuclear energy, Indonesia adheres to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards regarding nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, as well as the establishment and governance of NEPIO. These commitments are formalized under Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia No. 34.K/HK.02/MEM/2024, which mandates the NEPIO Preparation Team to operate from January 1, 2024, until the official establishment of NEPIO Indonesia.

This article was researched and written by Marchelino Hutama