TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Less than two years of development, the National Nuclear Energy Agency (Batan) has not disseminated its experimental power reactor to the local residents in the vicinity of the Research Center for Science and Technology (Puspiptek) Serpong in Banten.

The South Tangerang administration has just been notified about the reactor’s development plan, but has not been invited and given socialization. Mayor Airin Rachmi Diany thinks that socialization is very much needed so that the public understands. “Society will be frightened with only little information,” Airin said Monday.

Because a research reactor that do not produce electricity in Puspiptek exploded back in 1994. “Why not take advantage of water or sun light as a source of energy?” Tati Kusmati, 31-year-old resident of Muncul Village, said not far from Puspiptek.

According to Batan Chief Djarot Sulistiyono Wisnubroto, the location of the reactor is within 300m fom his office. Meaning that the reactor will be in the middle of a settlement. The size will be small because it produces a 3.5 megawatt power. In contrast to research reactors, this reactor power produces electricity and radioactive decay. “We are studying the design,” he said.

The manufacturing consultant originated from Indonesia (Rekayasa Engineer and Kogas) and from Germany (Nukamp). The land required to build the reactor and its office is 3,000 square meters from the total of 14 hectares, with a budget of Rp1.7 trillion and to be completed in 2019.

In June 16, Batan agreed to a cooperate with Rusia on nuclear research exchange.

Head of Nuclear Energy System Assessment Infrastructure Suparman said the experimental reactor will be using the latest and advancedfourth-generation technology. This technology is different from the nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, Ukraine, and Fukushima, Japan, thatexploded when the reactor lacks water for cooling. “With this technology, the plant will turn off once the temperature is not normal,” said Suparman.

The plant will produce a temperature of 800 degrees Celcius, which could be used to produce hydrogen, liquegy coal, and sea water desalination. The temperatures generated from nuclear power research is only 350 degrees. “We have minimized every possibility that would cause damages,” said Suparman.

In the near future, Batan will socialize the reactor's development plan to the government and its surroundings: Depok, Bogor and South Tangerang. Also to local residents who will first be affected in case of an accident. Suparman said this reactor is equipped with high standards nuclear emergency program.

MUHAMMAD KURNIANTO | JONIANSYAH