In the longer term, Indonesia is predicted to have its first nuclear power plant operational by 2030. The proposed location of this nuclear power plant is on Gelasa Island within the Bangka Belitung Islands Region.
The project is planned by PT ThorCon Power Indonesia, whose COO Bob S. Effendi announced that the primary steel cutting for the project is scheduled for November 2024. This was announced in the course of the Energy Transition 2023 conference and exhibition event in Jakarta (October 19) .
Bob further predicted that the nuclear power plant unit will reach Indonesia by 2027. Moreover, he intends to acquire an operating license from the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) in 2029.
Bob also explained that this project would require an investment of roughly USD 900 million, such as Rp 14 trillion (at an exchange rate of Rp 15,700). The investment amount is lower than the unique plan of $1.2 billion, or Rs 18.8 trillion.
Moreover, he also revealed that the planned nuclear power plant, as the primary candidate nuclear power plant in Indonesia, may have a capability of about 500 megawatts (MW).
However, the U.S. private energy company said it remains to be waiting for approval from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) before it may begin its thorium-based nuclear power plant (PLTN) project in Indonesia.
In this regard, Bob explained that they’re currently awaiting the ratification of the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) because the legal basis for the development of nuclear power plant projects in Indonesia.
The government has already issued an operating permit for the nuclear power plant itself. However, it remains to be very vital that the presidential decree (Perpres) provides a solid legal basis to support this project. Equally vital is the announcement of the revised National Energy Policy (KEN) and the establishment of the Nuclear Energy Program Implementation Organization (NEPIO).
Although they’re still waiting for the Presidential Order on the Licensed Nuclear Development Project (PLTN), Bob stays optimistic that the PLTN being built by ThorCon can be the primary PLTN in Indonesia. They hope to start industrial operations in 2030.
Source: CNBC
