Indonesia expands studies for proposed East Kalimantan nuclear plant
Three coastal areas are being assessed, while the government aims to select the location of Indonesia’s first nuclear facility by 2027.
Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is stepping up work to assess potential locations and reactor technologies for a proposed nuclear power plant in East Kalimantan, agency head Arif Satria said in Balikpapan.
Arif linked the research to rising industrial electricity needs and Indonesia’s transition towards a green economy. He said local universities would participate in the studies to help develop technical expertise alongside the technology.
National energy plans identify three coastal areas for assessment: Sangatta in East Kutai, Samboja in Kutai Kartanegara and Babulu in North Penajam Paser. Their selection reflects access to seawater for cooling and geological conditions considered relatively safe from major earthquakes.
The assessments cover reactor safety, the environment’s capacity to support development and separation from residential areas. Other prospective nuclear sites are being evaluated in the Riau Islands, Kalimantan, Sumatra and Halmahera.
Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia previously said Indonesia was also exploring technology partnerships with Russia, the United States, South Korea and Japan.
Under state utility PLN’s development schedule, the government aims to settle on its first nuclear facility’s location no later than 2027. Commercial operation is targeted for 2032, with initial capacity of 250 megawatts.
Long-term national projections put nuclear capacity at between 35 and 42 gigawatts by 2060, representing up to 12.1 per cent of Indonesia’s primary energy mix.
