As Draft Government Regulation on National Energy Policy and Draft Law on New and Renewable Energy are being deliberated in the House of Representatives (DPR), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has completed site studies for the construction of a nuclear power plant (PLTN) to National Energy Council (DEN).
Secretary General of DEN, Djoko Siswanto, revealed that BRIN has submitted results of the studies, recommending several potential locations for the nuclear power plant, including Bangka Belitung and Kalimantan.
“Site studies have been conducted in various locations that are considered safe and strategic. The results will be the basis for determining the location for the construction of the first nuclear power plant,” Djoko told to journalist in Jakarta, on Tuesday, Desember 10, 2024.
Head of the Nuclear Energy Research Organization (ORTN) at BRIN, Syaiful Bakhri, said the organization is ready to support the construction of the first PLTN in Indonesia. This project is expected to be an important step towards national energy self-sufficiency.
“The government has planned establishment of the first nuclear power plant in 2032 with a capacity of 250-300 MW. The technology chosen is the small modular reactor (SMR),” Syaiful told a discussion on National Nuclear Energy Innovation Research Ecosystem at BRIN’s BJ Habibie Building in Jakarta on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Skilled workers
Syaiful emphasized the importance of preparing skilled workers in the nuclear field to support the operation of the nuclear power plant. Based on the 2024 National Energy Policy (KEN) calculation, a PLTN needs around 700 workers. With a target of seven nuclear power plants by 2040, Indonesia will need a total of 4,900 workers.
Besides, accelerators in nuclear power plants and medical nuclear projects also require additional personnel. By 2029, an estimated 102 personnel are needed for 17 accelerators and 2,232 workers for 186 Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) units and 186 Positron Emission Tomography (PET) units.
Syaiful cited that SPECT and PET techniques play an important role in the medical field. SPECT is used to diagnose various conditions such as stroke, infection, and tumors, while PET is useful in detecting cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disease.
Head of BRIN, Laksana Tri Handoko, added that the agency will provide a continuing education path for undergraduate graduates to continue their research-based Masters and Doctoral studies on BRIN’s nuclear technology platform. In addition, BRIN is working with the Finance Ministry’s Education Endowment Fund (LPDP) to provide special scholarship in the field of nuclear technology.
“We ensure that students from universities, such as ITB, UGM, and Itera, can contribute directly to the development of nuclear technology with the support of LPDP scholarship,” Laksana said.
