The Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) has rejected the Site Evaluation Program (PET) and the Site Evaluation Management System (SMET) documents submitted by PT Thorcon Power Indonesia (TPI) for the construction of a molten salt reactor (MSR)-based Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) on Kelasa Island, Bangka Belitung over technicalities.

The agency said the application for Site Evaluation Approval from PT TPI had not met the technical requirements according to applicable regulations and is therefore unfit to prpceed to the next licensing stage.

"PT TPI is required to make document improvements before being able to continue the licensing process for the construction of the PLTN," Bapeten said in a statement released on March 21, 2025.

The evaluation was carried out to ensure the safety of the installation, as well as protection for the community and the surrounding environment.

However, Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and member of Energy Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR), Eddy Soeparno, emphasized that this evaluation process is not yet final.

"The documents [submitted by TPI] are being studied in depth by the expert body in Commission XII," Eddy told the media on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

The Directorate of Nuclear Installation and Material Licensing (DPIBN) at Bapeten also emphasized its commitment to carrying out the licensing process professionally and accountably, without gratification, corruption, or nepotism. As part of transparency, DPIBN also submitted a complaint and gratification service leaflet to PT TPI.

Director of Operations of PT Thorcon Power Indonesia, Bob S. Effendi, has earlier revealed of a plan to build a nuclear power plant with a total capacity of 4 Gigawatts (GW) by 2035. The first project on Kelasa Island is targeted to start commercial operations (COD) in 2031 with an initial capacity of 2×250 Megawatts (MW), known as the TMSR500 nuclear power plant.

"We propose an additional seven units after the first project. The total will reach 4 GW by 2035," Bob said on December 11, 2024.

He cited that the electricity tariff from the first nuclear power plant is estimated at 6.9 U.S. cents per kWh or around Rp1,100. For subsequent units, the tariff is projected to drop to 6.5 U.S. cents per kWh or around Rp1,000, referring to the exchange rate of Rp15,500 per U.S. dollar.