Nuclear Power Included in Indonesia's 2033 Electricity Generation Plan

11 Jul 2024

Energy

The Indonesian government has officially included nuclear power in its 2033 National Electricity General Plan (RUKN). This decision was confirmed by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) during a panel discussion Leading Up To COP-29 in Jakarta. 

 

"RUKN has already included that nuclear can be introduced in 2033," stated Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation at the Ministry of ESDM. This inclusion aims to maximize the potential of nuclear-related electricity programs. 

 

Eniya also mentioned that she has had multiple discussions with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, regarding nuclear energy. These discussions focused on safety, technological readiness, and the preparation of human resources to manage nuclear power plants (PLTN).  

 

"The Coordinating Minister still needs to be convinced about the safety and HR issues, but we have already prepared the regulations," she added. 

 

The government is currently working on forming the Nuclear Energy Program Implementation Organization (NEPIO) to oversee the deployment of nuclear power plants. This initiative is part of a new regulation outlined in Ministerial Decree (Kepmen) ESDM No. 34.K/HK.02/MEM/2024, which revises Kepmen ESDM 250.K/HK.02/MEM/2021 to meet IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) requirements. 

 

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, highlighted the importance of learning from countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea, which have successfully implemented nuclear energy. "We should just follow the example; if the technology is proven and other countries can use it, we should adopt it," he stated during a National Energy Council meeting. 

 

Arifin also emphasized the need for an efficient bureaucratic process for nuclear power plant implementation and mentioned that nuclear energy will be included in the latest revision of the Government Regulation on National Energy Policy (RPP KEN). He expressed hope that the detailed discussions on RPP KEN could be finalized during the DPR RI recess, allowing for the new regulations to be implemented soon. 

 

Nuclear energy, along with hydrogen, ammonia, and other new energy sources, is included in the Draft Law on New and Renewable Energy (RUU EBET). This draft law was submitted to the government by the DPR on June 14, 2022, and is a legislative priority within the 2022 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas). 

 

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