Indonesia's Bold Move: Establishing Nuclear Power Plant Development

TheIndonesia.co - Indonesia’s National Development Planning Ministry (Bappenas) is set to create a working group aimed at addressing critical institutional challenges in the development of nuclear power plants.

“This is a defining moment for us. If we miss it, we risk being stuck in endless debates without tangible progress,” warned Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard, Deputy Minister of National Development Planning, during a meeting with the Nuclear Energy Research Organization of the National Research and Innovation Agency (ORTN BRIN) and PT Industri Nuklir Indonesia (Persero) in Jakarta on Monday, according to Antara News Agency.

Indonesia’s ambitious nuclear power initiative is currently hindered by three main challenges: a clear national position, organizational readiness, and stakeholder mapping. As a first step, Bappenas will play a crucial role in facilitating the formation of a working group focused on resolving institutional issues, including drafting a letter of recommendation to the President of Indonesia.

Ruddyard also emphasized the need for strategic actions, such as the creation of an independent and empowered nuclear power plant (PLTN) acceleration team, a reform of nuclear energy regulations, and the establishment of a dedicated nuclear energy implementation agency.

At the meeting, key stakeholders, including Bappenas, ORTN BRIN, and PT Industri Nuklir Indonesia, discussed the challenges and opportunities in the nuclear energy sector, particularly the need for robust institutional support.

“Nuclear energy is often misunderstood as an easy solution, but the necessary ecosystem is still missing. Building this ecosystem is Bappenas’ responsibility,” Ruddyard added.

Despite Indonesia’s longstanding plans for nuclear power development to support its energy transition, the initiative has faced persistent socio-political and institutional hurdles.

“Our challenges are at the macro level. We still struggle with political and technological issues that impact institutional readiness,” added Amich Alhumami, the ministry’s deputy for human development and culture.

The idea of nuclear power in Indonesia has been debated for over two decades, with limited use of nuclear technology in non-energy sectors such as health, food, and agriculture.

As the country works toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, nuclear energy remains a key part of the strategy. Seen as a clean and high-capacity energy source, nuclear power could play a pivotal role in Indonesia’s accelerated energy transition.