"The problem with nuclear is often considered something easy. But the ecosystem has not been formed, so we have to start. This is the responsibility of the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas to plan for it," said the Deputy Minister of Bappenas Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard in his written statement, quoted on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Currently, the use of nuclear power is still limited to non-energy sectors, such as health, food, and agriculture. Meanwhile, Indonesia has committed to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2060. Nuclear power is considered to be one of the clean energy sources that can be developed with massive capacity in a short time, while also supporting the energy transition policy.
For the development of nuclear power plants, Indonesia has not yet met three aspects, namely national position, organizational readiness, and stakeholder mapping. As a first step, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas will be forming a working group responsible for reviewing institutional issues, including making recommendations to President Prabowo Subianto.
"We must not exceed our limits in planning. Because this is the moment, it cannot be repeated. If we miss it, we will continue to be trapped in discussions like this without real action," said Febrian. The next recommended strategic steps include forming a strong and independent PLTN development acceleration team, reforming nuclear energy regulations and policies, and forming a nuclear energy implementing body.
However, Deputy of Human Development and Culture Amich Alhumami admitted the challenges of social-political and institutional issues. Despite the plan to build PLTN emerged 20 years ago.
"In many ways, our problem is at the macro level, still having social-political and science and technology issues because of its implications for institutions. From the public policy perspective, the idea to build PLTN has been there for 20 years," she said.
