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Highlights
- - Indonesia proposes nuclear power plants at multiple sites to meet energy needs.
- - Environmental concerns arise due to seismic risks in the region.
- - Advanced safety measures and modular reactor technology are under review.
Indonesia has unveiled ambitious plans to construct nuclear power plants at 29 proposed locations across the sprawling archipelago, including regions from North Sumatra to West Papua. This move forms part of the country’s broader strategy to secure energy stability and reduce carbon emissions, but it has sparked debate over safety concerns due to Indonesia’s seismic activity.
The National Energy Council emphasized the necessity of nuclear energy as the nation works toward its net-zero emissions target by 2050. Council member Agus Puji Prasetyono highlighted that other G20 countries, including Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, have embraced nuclear power, raising questions about why Indonesia has not yet taken this step. The country also aims to phase out coal and fossil fuels within 15 years, which places additional pressure on developing alternative energy sources.
Industries such as nickel refining are highly dependent on stable energy supplies, further bolstering the argument for nuclear power. However, this proposal has met strong opposition from environmental groups. Hendrikus Adam from WALHI raised alarms about the potential risks, citing Indonesia’s history with catastrophic events like the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. These examples underline the challenges Indonesia faces in implementing nuclear energy safely.
Authorities are committed to ensuring stringent safety protocols before moving forward. Viability studies will require nuclear sites to maintain a minimum distance of five kilometers from geological fault lines. Additionally, advanced safety technologies are planned for these reactors to mitigate risks. To address concerns further, Indonesia is exploring small modular reactors (SMRs), which have capacities of up to 300 megawatts and are considered safer alternatives.
In a bid to acquire infrastructure, Indonesia is negotiating with international companies, including potential partners from China, Russia, and the US. Some notable players in the nuclear technology space, such as (TSX:CAMECO), have been part of global discussions around advanced nuclear solutions. These international collaborations aim to leverage cutting-edge technologies to address energy and safety needs simultaneously.
The proposal reflects Indonesia’s challenging balancing act: securing reliable energy to fuel its growing economy while addressing environmental and safety considerations in one of the world’s most geologically active regions. This initiative marks a significant step in Indonesia’s journey toward energy independence and sustainability.
