BPPT to develop nuclear power pilot project

The government has assigned the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) to develop a 10 MW nuclear power pilot project, the Directorate General of New Renewable and Energy Efficiency (EBTKE) said in a statement on Thursday.

The project is included the 9-point Nawacita Agenda of the President Joko Widodo?s Administration, EBTKE?s Director General Rida Mulyana said in the statement.

The statement however did not specify where and when the pilot project will be built.

According to the 2015-2024 Electrical Power Provision Business Plan (RUPTL) of state owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the firm once made a study with a foreign power plant company back in 2006. According to the study, investment needed to build a nuclear power plant amounts to US$2,300 per kWh for EPC works only and $2,300 per kWh if loan interest payable during construction is included.

However, the costs have significantly increased at present. A feasibility study by PLN in 2014 indicates that the investment has risen to $6000 per kWh.

In view of the huge investment needed for the development of a nuclear power plant, the government?s long-term support is absolutely necessary to realize such a project perfectly and on time. That?s why PLN does not include nuclear power plant in its 2015-2024 RUPTL.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon