Commercial PLTN In Indonesia Will Start 2023, Where Are The Locations?

Illustration of commercial PLTN in Indonesia (photo from Antara)

YOGYAKARTA - Sugeng West Sumatra, Head of the Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency (Bapeten) revealed that the government will commercialize Nuclear Power Plants (PLTN) for the first time in 2023.

Commercial PLTN in Indonesia will be realized with investment support from various vendors. Sugeng said that currently there is one company that plans to realize commercial PLTN.

"For the current development of PLTN, many vendors are interested in investing in PLTN development. There is one company that wants to invest," said Sugeng at a press conference at the Pullman Central Park Hotel, recently.

However, Sugeng still has not disclosed the name of the company that invested in the commercialization of the PLTN. He only said that currently the company is still in the process of research and development.

There are several locations in Indonesia that have the potential to build commercial PLTN. Sugeng said these places, including West Kalimantan and Bangka Belitung.

However, the location selection is still in the research stage from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). BRIN will help prepare a test laboratory to support the construction of the PLTN.

Commercial PLTN will use radioactive raw materials imported from other countries. Sugeng said Indonesia still had to import it through consortiums from various countries.

"So there must be an import agreement from several countries. If one country has problems, then other countries can supply it," said Sugeng.

Sugeng also said that the investor company had started conducting a manufacturing design assessment. The company has also coordinated with it to adjust regulations.

Bapeten continues to assist and oversee the construction of commercial PLTN starting from the licensing process. Investor companies will first build a platform BET test, fuel test construction, and reactors.

Bapeten revealed that the plan to build PLTN in Kalimantan was welcomed by the local regional head. Regional heads in Kalimantan want the construction of PLTN as renewable energy.

Dahlia Cakrawati Sinasa, Head of Bapeten's Deputy for Nuclear Safety Studies, said that the construction of PLTN on the island of Kalimantan is the safest to carry out in West Kalimantan. The West Kalimantan region is safer because it is contoured and far from the volcano.

Before IKN, governors in Kalimantan had asked (PLTN). The safest and best thing was in West Kalimantan. Then in Bangka Belitung. For IKN issues, we have not had a special discussion," said Dahlia during a press conference at the Pullman Hotel.

Sugeng said that the PLTN that allows to be built in Indonesia is a small modular detector (SMR) type PLTN. This type of PLTN is capable of producing large enough electricity without having to need a large place.

PLTN SMR can also be built faster because of its smaller shape. In addition, the price is also cheaper so that it opens up greater opportunities to attract investors.

However, Sugeng further said that PLTN SMR has problems in terms of technology. This type of PLTN technology is fairly new. Currently, Bapeten is drafting regulations and the realization of the construction of the SMR type of PLTN.

That is the commercial PLTN in Indonesia whose target will start in 2023. Currently, Bapeten is conducting a deeper assessment of the use of nuclear power as renewable energy in Indonesia.

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