Prof. Emil Salim: Expertise In The Nuclear Field Must Be Improved

Prof. Emil Salim/ Antara

JAKARTA - Member of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Prof. Emil Salim, said Indonesia's expertise in the nuclear field must continue to be improved following the latest developments to strengthen the development of nuclear energy technology in the country. We'll see if skills in nuclear technology develop in 2024 and 2026, whether Indonesian skills are still up to standard, so we don't lag behind in skills," said Emil in a written statement quoted by Antara, in Jakarta, Monday, January 31. Emil said knowledge of nuclear technology must continue to follow current technological developments. According to Emil, there are several factors that must be considered in the development of nuclear energy technology in Indonesia, including cost, time, human resource capabilities (HR) as well as cultural and safety factors.

"We are a developing country, in an economic condition that has been hit by COVID-19, so that the state's costs or finances are limited, both for short-term and long-term innovation. The cost factor is important, compare the cost for nuclear energy with other energies,” he said. In addition, he said that cultural and safety factors, including waste from nuclear use, must also be a concern in the development of nuclear energy in the future.

"Nuclear technology is not a simple matter, it contains risks, so handling it requires sophisticated skills because there are safety issues," he said.

BRIN pays attention to handling environmental issues and climate change by supporting the Net Zero Emission target in 2060, especially in meeting Indonesia's future electricity needs.

One of the efforts made by BRIN through the Nuclear Energy Research Organization is to continue to develop nuclear energy technology for the construction of nuclear power plants (PLTN), which is currently still in the review stage.