TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The principal expert researcher of Nuclear Energy Research Organization, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Djarot S. Wisnubroto, explained that the main challenge of constructing a nuclear power plant in Indonesia is not the lack of technology but rather the lack of political willingness.

“The challenge actually lies in the socio-political aspect, when the decision to build the nuclear power plant is made and when we would ‘go nuclear’,” said the professor in an online discussion on nuclear and net zero emission on November 16.

According to Djarot, who led the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) from 2012-2018, the use of nuclear energy has always been a controversial topic and not exclusive to Indonesia’s political discourse. He believes scientists need to be prepared to provide evidence-based answers to explain the safety and benefit of nuclear energy.

“Perceptions will indeed vary, that is the fact, but the perception that nuclear is the safest energy will be hard to accept. There is a cultural and social problem, because the audience can be very diverse,” the professor added.

Other challenging aspects for the use of nuclear energy are the lengthy and costly construction process, preparations for the worst case scenario, and managing the radioactive waste. “Can we manage high-risk technology while we as a society have a low safety culture,” he said.

On a positive note, the professor said Indonesia’s human resources and infrastructure shows that the country is actually prepared to invest in nuclear power plant programs.

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MOH KHORY ALFARIZI