Indonesia’s National Research & Innovation Agency (BRIN – Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), jointly with the Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Agency (BMKG – Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika), is currently studying the potential risk of a tsunami impacting the proposed site for the first nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. This assessment employs high-resolution numerical modelling of the region’s topography (land elevation) and bathymetry (underwater depths).

Widjo Kongko, a researcher from BRIN’s Hydrodynamic Technology Research Centre, explained that the modelling simulates a 9.1 magnitude earthquake originating from the seismically active Manila Trench subduction zone, which is known for its considerable tectonic activity. Simulation results indicate that a tsunami generated by such an event could reach 0.62 metres in the South China Sea and arrive at Gosong Beach in approximately 9 hours and 10 minutes.

Widjo stated that this ongoing research, initiated in 2023 and continuing through 2025, aims to determine the extent to which potential tsunami threats could impact the feasibility of the NPP construction site. “Tsunami threats from outside Indonesia still need consideration, especially for high-risk infrastructure,” he emphasised in a written statement.

Despite the relatively low wave height, Widjo cautioned that the risk of cooling system damage and operational disruptions exists if design planning does not account for worst-case scenarios. NPPs utilise seawater for cooling, with intake pipes located 1.5 to 2 kilometres offshore at a depth of 10 metres. Tsunami-induced pressure changes and currents could compromise the stability, performance, and effectiveness of this cooling system.

Widjo further detailed that the research uses seven modelling domains, ranging from global to local scales with a detailed 1-metre resolution, integrating current data from various sources and field surveys using drones, GNSS, and echosounders.

The highest simulated tsunami wave height was recorded on the western side of Semesak Island (0.62 metres), while the height ranged from 0.49 to 0.61 metres on the northern side of Gosong Beach.

According to Widjo, Gosong Beach’s flat topography and sedimentation could exacerbate flooding. He warned that a tsunami coinciding with the Highest High-Water Level could result in a combined water height exceeding 1.5 metres. “For the feasibility study of NPP design and site planning, we must prepare systems and mitigation that can address these potential threats,” he asserted.

Widjo added that the next study will assess the tsunami risk at the same location originating from underwater landslides off Brunei. This will complement the previous analysis of potential tsunami threats from both tectonic and non-tectonic sources and is intended to serve as a technical reference for Environmental Impact Analysis documents and NPP site safety evaluations, in accordance with Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten – Badan Pengawas Tenaga Nuklir) regulations.

Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, said Indonesia is set to utilise nuclear power plants by 2030, as laid out in the Power Supply Business Plan for 2025-2030. “The nuclear power plants will be operational by 2030 or 2032. So, we must prepare all of the relevant regulations on nuclear plants,” Bahlil told a National Energy Council (DEN – Dewan Energi Nasional) meeting.

Indonesia’s plan to develop its first NPP is moving forward with strong support from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KADIN – Kamar Dagang dan Industri Indonesia), which views nuclear energy as one of the diverse and sustainable solutions to meet the country’s future electricity needs.

Aryo Djojohadikusumo, Deputy Chairman for Energy & Mineral Resources at KADIN Indonesia, confirmed the organisation’s commitment, stating “KADIN Indonesia supports the government to develop NPPs in the country.” He emphasised that expanding into nuclear energy aligns with the government’s broader push for new and renewable energy investments to accelerate energy transition.

Aryo explained that KADIN has already set a priority programme for 2025 under the “Green Indonesia” initiative, which seeks to boost investment in renewable energy projects. The initiative focuses on attracting both domestic and foreign investors while urging the government to introduce incentives that will support investment in the renewable energy sector.

President Prabowo Subianto has also highlighted nuclear energy’s potential. Addressing the closing session of the Democratic Party’s VI Congress in February, he described nuclear as one of the cleanest renewable energy sources, with applications beyond electricity generation, including in healthcare, development of agricultural seeds, and other energy sources.

Earlier, DEN revealed that there are 29 potential locations for nuclear plant construction in Indonesia, estimated to generate between 45 and 54 GWe. These plants will be located outside of Java, in order to develop the economies in the Central and Eastern regions of Indonesia. DEN identified four priority areas for the construction, namely West Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung, Southeast Sulawesi, and Halmahera in North Maluku.

DEN Stakeholder Member Agus Puji Prasetyono said that, in determining the location for NPP construction, the government needs to consider three main aspects, including locations that are free from the risk of tsunamis, far from volcanoes, and not near active faults.

Although Indonesia currently has no NPP, it has three research reactors in operation: the GA Siwabessy Multipurpose Reactor in Serpong, the Triga Mark II Reactor in Bandung, and the Kartini Reactor in Yogyakarta. In recent years, Indonesia has begun to review the use of nuclear energy, especially through SMR technology being developed by power company PLN Indonesia Power (PLN – Perusahaan Listrik Negara) and BRIN.

BRIN along with several other national institutions is developing a 40 MWt power and industrial steam generator, PeLUIt-40 (Pembangkit Listrik dan Uap Panas Industri-40. The groundwork for PeLUIt-40 was laid by the National Atomic Energy Agency (BATAN) before it merged into BRIN in 2021. It is an upgrade based on Indonesia’s 10 MW Experimental Power Reactor (Reaktor Daya Eksperimen, RDE) programme. PeLUIt-40 is currently in the design phase. It is a 40 MWt SMR that utilises high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technology with a pebble-bed design.

BRIN and PLN are also studying US NuScale SMR’s technology supported by funding from with USTDA. US ThorCon, through its subsidiary in Indonesia, PT Thorcon Power Indonesia is proposing construction of its TMSR500 molten salt reactor on Kelasa Island. Denmark’s Seaborg is also proposing a molten salt power barge.

The Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources has not yet determined the companies it will partner for NPP development, and the issue is still being studied by the government. Before developing nuclear plants, the government will need to establish the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementation Organisation (NEPIO). This will play a key role in monitoring the development of NPPs.