TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government plans to establish the first nuclear power plant (PLTN) in the country by 2032. Greenpeace Indonesia reminds the government of its risk against the Indonesian people, including past explosions, which still looms over the potential of nuclear power plant development in Indonesia.

“The government could not even protect our data, much less develop a nuclear power plant which requires high-level technology, mentality, and discipline to maintain its security,” Greenpeace Indonesia climate and energy campaigner, Didit Wicaksono, told Tempo on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Despite wanting Indonesia to advance, Didit said he’s skeptical of the government’s capability to maintain the security of nuclear power plants. Didit says there are several alternatives to achieve national energy, including solar plants.

“Developing a nuclear (power plant) takes a long time, 190 months or 15 years on average. It would be better to build solar plants which take roughly 2 years if the intention is to catch up on energy availability,” said Didit.

Didit also sees the potential of wind energy utilization in eastern Indonesia. “We have various energy potentials to explore, so I don’t know why the government wants to develop nuclear power plants with higher risks and dangers compared to other forms of renewable energy,” said Didit.

Nuclear power plants also pose risks of new land conflicts in society since they would keep eroding land for uranium and thorium mining.

BRIN Claims Indonesia's Human Resources and Technology are Adequate

Head of the Nuclear Energy Research Organization at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Syaiful, says nuclear power plant development is possible with Indonesia’s current technology and human resources. Syaiful says Indonesia has competent nuclear researchers.

According to Syaiful, BRIN currently manages three nuclear reactors for research scale in Bandung, Serpong, and Yogyakarta. The nuclear reactors are utilized to support the radioisotope-based medical industry despite being research scale. "The current nuclear reactors at BRIN are useful for the health sector,” he said.

BRIN’s Head Laksana Tri Handoko also said he’s ready to make BRIN the implementing body of the New and Renewable Energy Law if the parliament passes the bill.

ALIF ILHAM FAJRIADI

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