The Indonesian Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) has approved the site evaluation for ThorCon 500 nuclear power plant (PLTN) on Kelasa Island, Bangka Belitung Islands. 

The request for evaluation, submitted by PT Thorcon Power Indonesia (PT TPI) on January 21, 2025, was completed ahead of schedule − within 126 working days, compared to the originally planned one year.

The approval was formalized through Bapeten Decree No. 00003.556.1.300725 dated July 30, 2025.

“The technical evaluation was completed faster than scheduled,” Wiryono, Bapeten Director of Licensing for Nuclear Installations and Materials, said as quoted in a statement released on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

Under Bapeten Regulation No. 1/2022, the development and operation of nuclear power plants in Indonesia must go through several licensing stages − site permit, construction permit, commissioning permit, and operational license.

With the latest decree, PT TPI is now authorized to carry out detailed site evaluations in accordance with its proposed Site Evaluation Program (PET) and Site Evaluation Management System (SMET).

PET outlines the plan to assess the suitability of the site in terms of external hazards that could impact the nuclear reactor. These include six key aspects: seismic activity, geotechnical conditions, volcanic risks, meteorological and hydrological data, human-induced events, and the dispersion of radioactive substances. SMET provides the framework for managing the entire evaluation process.

“Safety and security are the fundamental principles guiding all of Bapeten’s regulatory oversight,” Ishak, Head of Legal, Cooperation, and Public Communication Bureau at Bapeten, said.

PLN Nusantara Power (PLN NP) and ThorCon International Pte. Ltd. are currently conducting a comprehensive feasibility study for developing a nuclear power plant in the Bangka Belitung region. The effort was cemented by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both companies on July 24, 2025.

“This study is part of PLN NP’s commitment to delivering low-carbon energy sources that are reliable, safe, and sustainable for Indonesia,” PLN NP President Director Ruly Firmansyah said on July 29, 2025.

He emphasized the strategic role of energy diversification in achieving national energy resilience and independence.

The joint study covers in-depth assessments of reactor technology, safety and operational protocols, design evaluation, financial analysis, and potential project collaboration schemes. It marks an early step in the potential implementation of Indonesia’s first nuclear power plant.

Niels Berger, CEO of PT Thorcon Power Indonesia, expressed optimism about the partnership, viewing it as a crucial step toward unlocking Indonesia's renewable energy potential.

“We see Indonesia as a country with immense potential to lead in the adoption of safe and efficient nuclear technology. This collaboration is a milestone in bringing clean, long-term, and stable energy solutions to the country,” he ssaid on July 29, 2025.

PLN NP and ThorCon also signaled openness to involving subsidiaries or affiliated entities in the feasibility study process, with prior written notification to relevant stakeholders.