PLTN waiting for right time in Indonesia

Petromindo|Thomas

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan said that the development of nuclear power plant (PLTN) in Indonesia is still waiting for the right momentum.

Addressing the launching ceremony of French Renewable Energy Group, which was also attended by French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Jean-Marc Ayrault, and French Ambassador to Indonesia, Jean-Charles Berthonnet in Jakarta on Tuesday, Minister Jonan said that right now Indonesia has been focusing on development of renewable energy, but for now it does not include the nuclear energy. ?I know that France has a reliable technology of nuclear power plant (PLTN). But still I think it?s not the right time for Indonesia. Maybe in the future,? said Jonan in a press release issued by the new and renewable energy and energy conservation directorate general on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Director General Rida Mulyana said at the same occasion that there are two conditions that should be met by Indonesia before developing the big-scale PLTN.

?The two conditions are public support and political will. There has been until now high resistance from the public regarding the nuclear development,? he said.

According to him, the two conditions have to be fulfilled by the Atomic Energy Agency (BATAN). ?The political will depend on the first condition which is the public support. If there is no public support, it is difficult to expect political will,? he said.

Editing by Benget Besalicto ST