Iran Press/ Asia: According to Iran Press from Kuala Lumpur, The power plant, currently under construction, will use thorium fuel, a safer and more efficient alternative to uranium.
Bab Afendi, the executive director, confirmed that the nuclear plant is located in the Bangka Belitung province, on the island of Kalasa off the southeast coast of Sumatra. The initial goal of the project is to generate 500 megawatts of electricity at a cost of 17 trillion rupiahs, equivalent to more than 1 billion dollars. This budget covers research, importing the prototype thorium reactor from South Korea, technology transfer, and other necessary infrastructure.
Experts indicate that the new Indonesian government is driven by the need to secure affordable, clean, and reliable energy to achieve its 8% economic growth target.Lahadalia, Indonesia's Energy Minister, also emphasized in the country's parliament: "We welcome nuclear energy because coal-powered plants currently generate 67% of the nation's electricity."
Indonesia's National Energy Council announced that the country is determined to achieve nuclear energy production within the next few years.Local media outlets reported that Indonesia has set a target to increase electricity production by 100 gigawatts over the next 15 years.
Nuclear energy is seen as a clean and reliable alternative to coal. According to the former head of Indonesia's National Energy Agency, nuclear power could produce sustainable, clean, and affordable energy in an area far smaller than the vast space required for wind turbines or solar panels.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources revealed that renewable energies accounted for only 14% of the country’s national energy mix in the past year, falling short of the target of 19.5%.An official from Indonesia’s National Energy Council further noted that new technologies, such as small modular reactors, significantly reduce the cost of nuclear power production, which is encouraging private companies to invest in the nuclear power plant.
As a result, the Ministry of Energy confirmed that Indonesia is finalizing the presidential regulation for the establishment of the country’s nuclear energy implementation organization.
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