JakartaPost-Dec 11, 2024
The National Energy Council (DEN) has mapped out 29 potential locations to build nuclear power plants with a total estimated capacity of 45 to 54 gigawatts (GW). DEN member Agus Puji Prasetyono said that these sites are mainly located outside of Java and are expected to boost economic growth in central and eastern Indonesia. West Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung, Southeast Sulawesi and Halmahera in North Maluku will be prioritized. “There are three considerations: tsunami risk, volcanoes and earthquake [fault lines], [which must be] at least by 5 kilometers,” Agus told reporters on the sidelines of the 2024 DEN Award event in Jakarta. The four locations, according to Agus, were prioritized because of their proximity to demand centers, including industrial parks and smelters. However, the sites are also prone to earthquakes, he said. “All of Japan’s nuclear power plants are located in earthquake-prone areas. How can they do that? Why can’t we [do the same]?” Agus said. “That’s what [Indonesia] has to figure out: how to build nuclear plants to [achieve] 8 percent economic growth, but in earthquake-prone areas.” Indonesia has made multiple climate pledges during past international events, including the United Nations COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan and the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in Brazil. The country vowed to move away from fossil fuels and revealed ambitious plans to introduce more clean energy. However, Indonesia has missed its renewable energy targets in the past years, including failing to meet its investment targets. Indonesia plans to build its first nuclear power plant, with an initial capacity of 250 MW. According to the country’s energy road map, the plant is expected to be built between 2031 and 2035. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2024/12/11/ri-identifies-29-potential-nuclear-power-plant-sites.html.
