Nuclear power not feasible for Indonesia, says expert

Huge initial investments and high price of uranium makes nuclear power development not feasible in Indonesia.

According to Rinaldy Dalimi of the National Energy Council, there is no reason for the Indonesian government to develop nuclear power plants given the lower costs of renewable energy power generators.

“This is no longer an issue of safety but more about investment calculations and a consideration of the fact that Indonesia will have to import uranium should it develop a PLTN,” says Rinaldy, based on a Jakarta Post report.


Rinaldy explained that nation’s uranium reserves were relatively small and could only power a single 3,000-megawatt nuclear reactor for 11 years. He added that a nuclear power plant would require US$4,000 to produce a single kilowatt of electricity while a steam-powered generator would require $800 to produce the same amount.


“My suggestion is the government initiate the use of renewable energy. By 2050 at least 75 percent of energy used in Indonesia should be renewable” Rinaldy empahsized.