Indonesia, Korea study nuclear power plant

Indonesia and South Korea are considering to cooperate in the construction of a nuclear power plant in coping with the possible shortage of the power supply in Indonesia after 2015, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Monday.

"South Korea is quite enthusiastic in supporting the planned construction of the nuclear power plant. They have even agreed if they have to bear the investment costs for the nuclear project," State Minister for Research and Technology Hatta Radjasa was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

According to him, South Korean investors had asked his office to discuss the possible cooperation scheme in the planned nuclear power project.

Hatta said that the government planned to build a nuclear power plant with a capacity of 2 x 100 MW as part of its long-term program to cope with the possible shortage of electricity supply in the country.

According to him, the nuclear power plant will cost between US$150 million and US$200 million to build. The location of the nuclear power plant had not been decided but Madura island has appeared as one of the best alternatives.

Hatta said that the government should, however, first prepare the legal aspect of the use of the nuclear power in the country before going ahead with the nuclear project. (*)