The Indonesian government is finalising a plan for cooperation with Russia for NPP development through the construction of the small modular reactors (SMRs) with a capacity of 500 MWe. “We will first conduct a feasibility study,” Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, said on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). “This study is an initial step to prepare the technological and regulatory foundations to support the development of safe and sustainable nuclear energy,” he added.
The Indonesian Energy & Mineral Resources Ministry has said the government’s plan to build a NPP, with potential sites identified in Sumatra and Kalimantan. It is planning to develop two 250 MWe NPPs, one each in Sumatra Kalimantan. The plan considers small modular reactors (SMRs) to be more efficient and flexible than conventional NPPs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is ready to cooperate with Indonesia in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This cooperation covers various sectors such as health, agriculture and human resource training.
This statement was delivered in a bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Moscow, which also discussed strengthening strategic partnerships in the energy sector, including renewable energy and nuclear technology.
Deputy Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung said both China and Russia are offering to cooperate with Indonesia in developing NPPs. The opportunity for cooperation with both countries, according to Yuliot, is related to the transfer of nuclear development technology.
Yuliot explained that Indonesia currently needs technology for developing SMRs. He noted that earlier Indonesia had explored opportunities for cooperation with Canada and South Korea. However, the plans were not realised because both countries are more focused on the development of large plants.
In May, the Indonesian Energy & Mineral Resources Ministry said it is considering developing floating NPPs for remote regions in the eastern Indonesian region. Such plants could replace the fossil fuel-based power plants commonly used in the region, the Director General for Electricity at the Ministry, Jisman P Hutajulu, noted.
Jisman said several key strategic energy documents have been finalised, including the National Energy Policy (KEN – Kebijakan Energi Nasional), approved by the House of Representatives (lower house of parliament), and the National Electricity General Plan (RUKN – Rencana Umum Ketenagalistrikan Nasional) for 2024-2060, officially issued by Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. He added that the Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL – Rencana Usaha Penyediaan Tenaga Listrik) 2025-2034 is nearing completion and will soon be formalised by the Ministry.
