Bahlil welcomes nuclear power proposal as Indonesia targets 2032 start
Indonesia’s electricity plan includes a first nuclear plant in Sumatra, while Bahlil says several countries have offered nuclear technology cooperation.
Indonesian minister Bahlil has welcomed a nuclear energy proposal from the Indonesian Christian Intellectuals Association (PIKI), saying it aligns with government plans to strengthen energy security. Indonesia’s electricity development plan targets its first nuclear power plant to begin operating in Sumatra in 2032.
PLN’s 2025–2034 electricity supply business plan, approved on 26 May 2025, includes nuclear power development, with a further development planned for 2033. The government intends to broaden its energy sources to meet national electricity needs and support a transition towards a lower-emission power system.
In remarks cited on 19 October 2026, Bahlil said Russia had offered nuclear technology cooperation during a bilateral meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he attended. Germany, Japan, Korea and Canada had made similar offers, he said.
Bahlil also called for academics and intellectual organisations to contribute to national development policy. He said the government had sought input from universities and the Indonesian Association of Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI), and invited PIKI to cooperate with the Coordinating Ministry for Downstreaming and Energy Transition.
He also raised the possibility of PIKI participating in 28 downstream development programmes covering sectors including minerals and coal, oil and gas, fisheries, forestry and agriculture.
