The Unfaltering Dream of Nuclear

THE sky hanging above the Center for Science and Technology Research (Puspiptek) in Serpong, South Tangerang, was getting dimmer. Under the light drizzle, I walked toward Building 31 which houses the G.A. Siwabessy (RSG-GAS) Multipurpose Reactor.

To enter the building, I had to go through two strict screening checkpoints. If the visitor is interested in viewing the reactor core and the Main Control Room (RKU) on the second floor, they have to pass another inspection.

The RKU is in the shape of an irregular pentagon where a large panel is installed on each of the three walls. Several young operators are observing the indicators shown on the panels and monitor screens. Through the glass of the RKU room, I could see the ground floor of the reactor core and the nuclear reactor that have been operating since 1987.

RSG-GAS is a research reactor that does not produce electricity. Its power is only 30 megawatts (MW), whereas reactors for a Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) can reach up to 1,400 MW. Despite that, the reactor's working principle is similar.

"When the uranium hits a neutron, a fission chain reaction occurs and generates neutrons and heat up to 200 megaelectronvolts (MeV). These neutrons are used to activate the target for making radioisotopes," explained Suwoto, the operations coordinator who was accompanying me. 

"In PLTN, the heat energy is collected and used to heat water that will turn into steam that drives the turbine. The turbine starts the generator and it will eventually produce electricity.”

The RSG-GAS was designed and built by Interatom GMBH of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is Indonesia's third reactor and is the largest research reactor in Asia-Pacific. 

Since its establishment, RSG-GAS has been used for research, isotope production for the industrial and medical sector, materials testing, science experiments, and so on. Part of its isotope production is exported to Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan.

RSG-GAS is also equipped with a supporting laboratory to bolster the capacity and capability of the human resources in the nuclear field, especially to encourage the independence in constructing and operating PLTN.

Based on the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN), PLTN will be built after 2025.

The Era of Atom

STILL in South Tangerang, I continued my quest by visiting a house located at Bumi Serpong Damai. It was quiet around the house, with only a hybrid car parked on the porch. Several minutes later, Djarot Sulistio Wisnubroto, the owner of the house, came out of the front door. He greeted and invited me to the living room. 

Djarot took his undergraduate to doctoral degrees in the nuclear field because he was told about the bright outlook for the nuclear power plant (PLTN) in Indonesia. After finishing his study, Djarot worked at the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN), reaching the peak of his career as the head of BATAN from 2012-2018. 

"PLTN is still not here even after I became the head of BATAN," said Djarot. 

Djarot is now working as the principal research scientist of the Research Organization for Nuclear Energy (ORTN) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). He is always open to talk about PLTN. In a calm, sometimes passionate, tone he expressed his worry about PLTN being nothing more than a pipe dream.

Recently, the notion of constructing PLTN has resurfaced along with the government plan of building the capital city Nusantara in Kalimantan to replace Jakarta.

"Regardless of the new capital, Indonesia has to commit to reaching net zero emissions. PLTU (steam-electric power plant) will then be closed and replaced by PLTN," said Djarot. 

Indonesia's commitment to low-carbon and clean energy development was conveyed at the Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, November 2021.

PLTU, the abbreviation of Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Uap or steam-electric power plant, currently supplies most of the national electricity demand. Indonesia itself is the world's largest producer of coal, PLTU's fuel. According to Djarot, PLTN can be a good replacement for PLTU as it can generate continuous and reliable energy.

"Nuclear has become a part of Indonesia for almost 50 years," said Djarot. "Therefore, considering many factors, we are more than ready to build PLTN."

The history of nuclear power in Indonesia began when President Sukarno established the National Committee for the Investigation of Radioactivity (PPRTA) in 1954 to investigate the impact of the nuclear bomb experiment carried out by the United States in the Pacific region. The state committee was chaired by G.A. Siwabessy. Two years afterwards, the idea to build PLTN emerged in many seminars held at universities around Bandung and Yogyakarta.

<div class="flex-content-podcast"><figure class="img-left"><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61af270884f7a0580d35618e/62cd36b21c1d33f55edf9664_Intersection%2011.jpg" alt="img"></div><figcaption>The world’s first nuclear power plant in Obninsk, Kaluga Oblast, Russia. (RIA Novosti archive)</figcaption></figure><div class="img-right"><div class="podcast-container"><img alt="person" class="entered loaded" data-ll-status="loaded" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61af270884f7a0580d35618e/62cd36b3115aef1881c2ea66_Intersection%2012.jpg"><div class="audio-podcast"><audio controls controlsList="nodownload"><source src="https://d220hvstrn183r.cloudfront.net/premium/pltn/Podcast-Djarot.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">Your browser does not support the audio element.</audio></div></div><div class="caption"><span><b>Prof. Djarot Sulistio Wisnubroto</b><br>Chief of BATAN 2012-2018/Principal Research Scientist of ORTN-BRIN. (Fernando Randy/Historia.ID)</span></div></div></div>

The nuclear proposition was in the spotlight after Sukarno formed the Atomic Energy Council and Atomic Energy Institution which later became BATAN, led by G.A. Siwabessy as its director. The formation was followed by the issuance of Law (UU) No. 31 of 1964 concerning Basic Provisions for Atomic Energy. 

Sukarno himself was very keen on atomic energy, particularly for the purpose of world peace and people's welfare. PLTN was even considered to be able to supply the electricity, although at the time there were only a handful of countries in the world that owned a nuclear power plant, and even fewer urban areas in Indonesia that had access to electricity. During a visit to the Soviet Union in 1957, Sukarno spared his time to see the world's first nuclear power plant in Obninsk, Kaluga Oblast, about 110 km southwest of Moscow.

In a speech commemorating the National Electricity Day in Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta on 27 October 1960, Sukarno hoped for the people of Indonesia to be aware of the importance of electricity and to become an electricity-minded society, because it simply isn't possible to live without electricity, steam, and soon, atomic power.

"Indonesian socialism is seeking rapid progress, and that development requires electricity or even atomic energy," he said.

During the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of TRIGA-Mark II research reactor in Bandung on 9 April 1961, Sukarno encouraged the mastery and use of the atomic energy which would realize "a just and prosperous society with the help of atomic energy."

The research reactor in Bandung was built in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a bilateral agreement with the United States. It was inaugurated by Sukarno in February 1965, followed by the inauguration of the nuclear facility at Pasar Jumat Jakarta (now the Isotope and Radiation Application Center or PAIR) on 20 December 1966.

The human resources in the field of nuclear energy were also trained by sending them to developed countries such as the United States, the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Japan. 

"Bung Karno's goal is indeed to use atomic energy as one of the backbones of Indonesia's industrialization," said Djarot.

Some time during its development, Sukarno was tempted to build an atomic bomb, which eventually pushed the PLTN agenda to the side.

Finding the Best Site

MAJOR changes happened during Suharto’s era, as BATAN was once again tasked to develop nuclear technology for welfare purposes. Discussions regarding the construction of PLTN were also initiated.

Along with the Ministry of Public Works and Electric Power (PUTL), BATAN held a seminar entitled “Introduksi Tenaga Nuklir Guna Pembangkit Listrik di Indonesia” (Introduction of Nuclear Energy for Power Generation in Indonesia) in Cipayung, Jakarta, November 1968. The second seminar was subsequently held in Yogyakarta on 19-24 January 1970. 

According to Budi Sudarsono in the paper "Persiapan Pembangunan PLTN: Sebuah Laporan Perkembangan", compiled in the Pemilihan Lokasi Pusat Listrik Tenaga Nuklir, the second seminar resulted to a recommendation for the government to form an inter-departmental committee to prepare for the construction of PLTN. The committee was finally established in April 1972 and named the Preparatory Commission for PLTN Development (KP2-PLTN). 

Budi Sudarsono from BATAN, who was appointed as the chairman of KP2-PLTN, declared that PLTN could start operating in 1985. In that year, it was estimated that Indonesia would need 2,300-3,100 MW of electricity consumption, and PLTN was expected to contribute 200 MW as an initial step.

Moreover, the oil crisis happening in 1973 made PLTN a viable alternative to generate electricity. As a proof of the readiness of the human resources, BATAN built the Kartini reactor in Yogyakarta in 1974. The reactor, which is located at the Yogyakarta Center for Science, Technology and Accelerator, was built by Indonesia's best men and was inaugurated by President Suharto on 1 March 1979.

<div class="flex-content-podcast"><figure class="img-left"><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61af270884f7a0580d35618e/62cd5f2e6c9cb78650f58be0_Intersection%209.jpg" alt="img"></div><figcaption>Nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986 after the explosion. (wikimedia)</figcaption></figure><div class="img-right"><div class="podcast-container"><img alt="person" class="entered loaded" data-ll-status="loaded" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61af270884f7a0580d35618e/62cd5f3613396cb68da15db5_Intersection%2010.jpg"><div class="audio-podcast"><audio controls controlsList="nodownload"><source src="https://d220hvstrn183r.cloudfront.net/premium/pltn/Podcast-Subekti.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">Your browser does not support the audio element.</audio></div></div><div class="caption"><span><b>Dr. R. Muhammad Subekti</b><br>Director of Nuclear Facility Management at ORTN-BRIN. (Fernando Randy/Historia.ID)</span></div></div></div>

In the 1970s, a number of seminars and workshops were held to discuss various aspects related to PLTN. A seminar held in Karangkates, East Java in 1975 resulted in 14 proposed locations for the PLTN sites. Of the 14 locations, only five were studied: Tanjung Pulut and Parigi (West Java), Muria and Lasem (Central Java), and Situbondo (East Java). The following survey result in July-September 1975 concluded on two locations, Keling in the Muria Peninsula and Sluke in Lasem.

KP2-PLTN then partnered with a consultant from Italy, Nucleare Italiana Reattori Avanzati (NIRA), to conduct a site study. The study was still ongoing when the government decided to disband the KP2-PLTN in 1982.

However, the disbandment didn’t suggest that Suharto's regime rejected the notion of PLTN. In fact, Suharto's close ally, Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie was actually the main supporter of PLTN. With Habibie's encouragement, the construction of the RSG-GAS and its supporting laboratory in Serpong were completed in 1987.

"Mr. Habibie associated the construction of this research reactor in Serpong with the PLTN that will be built in Muria. Mr. Habibie has indeed made a lot of preparations so that we are ready to welcome the PLTN," said Muhammad Subekti, director of the ORTN-BRIN Nuclear Facility Management (PFK).

Muria was almost a certain choice. The results of the NIRA study, which was completed and submitted in 1985, also concluded that Ujungwatu Village, Keling Muria District, was the best site candidate. In the same year, the government conducted a re-evaluation to update the pre-feasibility study of the Muria PLTN site. The update was carried out with the assistance of IAEA, the U.S. government through Bechtel International, the French government through SOFTRATOME, and the Italian government through CESEN.

Unfortunately, the progress was then faltered due to the Chernobyl disaster in Pripyat, Ukraine, 26 April 1986. The world's worst nuclear disaster turned Chernobyl and Pripyat to dead cities after being abandoned due to the high amount of nuclear radiation spread out following the explosion.

"The whole world suddenly changed," said Subekti. "The project in Muria, Central Java, was also temporarily suspended."

Three years after that, the PLTN project was back on track. In 1989, the National Energy Coordinating Agency or BAKOREN (now the National Energy Council) conducted a feasibility study for the construction of PLTN and studied the potential site in Muria, both of which were carried out by BATAN.

In 1991, BATAN collaborated with an energy consultant from Japan, New Japan Engineering Consultants (NEWJEC), a subsidiary of Kansai Electric Power, to conduct a Site Study and Feasibility Study (STSK) for the PLTN. 

The study concluded that the introduction of PLTN to the Java-Bali electricity network system was feasible in the early 2000s. For the site, Ujung Lemahabang was considered as the most appropriate because of its easy access to land and sea infrastructures, soil condition, resident population, and seismic and volcanic risks. The site that would be used to construct PLTN was an area of 5-6 km2 that was mostly owned by PT Perkebunan XVIII.

All preparations were made. The construction was planned to begin in 1997.

“Why did we choose the Muria Peninsula? It's because throughout Java, it is one of the locations that is relatively safe from earthquakes, although it still has the potential for an earthquake. Our colleagues from PLN also preferred the PLTN to be built in the Muria Peninsula because the infrastructure was all set there and most of the industry, which needs PLTN the most, was in Java," said Djarot.

A Clamour in Muria

ONE afternoon, a discussion was held at the office of the Gita Pertiwi Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Solo that advocates for environmental issues. A number of students and NGO activists attended that forum which centered on the topic that was quite complex and incomprehensible for some: the government's plan to build PLTN in Muria, Jepara, Central Java. 

The matter was being discussed several times on other occasions. In the 7 June 1993 discussion, the participants agreed to establish an organization called GIAT which stands for Energi untuk Rakyat (Energy for the People) as a response to the PLTN construction plan. One of the attendees was Wahyu Susilo, the current executive director of Migrant Care.

According to Wahyu, GIAT was active in conducting studies and research, as well as developing appropriate technology and sustainable energy. They also learned from their colleagues from the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan who had more experience in the anti-nuclear movement.

"We eventually tried to make solar panels and turned it into electrical energy on a micro scale in Boyolali," said Wahyu when being interviewed at his office at Migrant Care, Jati Padang, South Jakarta.

In other regions, several NGOs that opposed the PLTN agenda started to raise their voice. The Anti-Nuclear Coalition (KAN), which was founded by anti-PLTN activists from Jepara, was one of them. There was also the Indonesian Anti-Nuclear Society (MANI) initiated by Anung Karyadi from the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), the Salatiga Geni Foundation, and the Jepara NGO community.

“MANI Central Java became the hub of the movement because the site was planned to be in Muria. The movement itself largely consisted of students,” Wahyu recalled.

Instead of nuclear, MANI and GIAT activists believed that Indonesia was in need of renewable energy. In fact, Indonesia is abundant in renewable energy resources such as solar, geothermal, wave, palm oil, and many more. The Chernobyl disaster became an excuse for how big the risk of a nuclear power plant accident is.

A number of leaders and scholars also expressed their disagreement. "I will fast in Muria if they build PLTN there. I'm committed to the interest of the NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) members living there," said Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, then chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), as reported by Kompas on 12 January 1994.

In the cabinet, Habibie's idea wasn't entirely supported by the ministers. Those who disagreed with the PLTN plan were often referred to as the group of Emil Salim, then Minister of the Environment. The group argued that the PLTN project was premature and a burden for the national economy and the already deficit balance of payments. Instead of nuclear, they suggested maximizing the geothermal, hydropower, coal, and gas reserves.

A letter from the Ministry of Environment regarding the Environmental Impact Analysis (AMDAL) of the nuclear project in Muria even recommended considering other energy sources such as coal. According to Paschalis Maria Laksono et al in Rencana Pembangunan PLTN di Indonesia, the recommendation was based on a geological survey by the Ministry of Mines and Energy which stated that there are estimated coal reserves of 31.9 million metric in Sumatra and Kalimantan, indicating that the non-nuclear energy reserves in Java can be utilized optimally. 

However, Habibie claimed to Commission X of the People's Representative Council of Indonesia (DPR) that Java had relatively small geothermal, hydropower, coal, and gas potentials, and highlighted the importance of nuclear energy to meet the energy demand in Java.

As with Habibie's other lighthouse projects, President Suharto provided his full support, which was evident from his statements on several occasions. At the inauguration of the Radio Metallurgical Installation and the Reactor Safety and Engineering Installation at Puspiptek Serpong on 12 December 1990, Suharto extended the claim from a research that in the next 25 years, the efforts of mobilizing all resources such as water, geothermal, natural gas, and coal would still not be enough to meet the electricity demand in Java. Thus, it was necessary to start considering the prospect of a PLTN.

It was clear that the government was very determined to realize the PLTN in the country. The unfaltering intention was also shown by BATAN which did not only carry out a site and feasibility study for the PLTN in Muria, but also made an effort to engage with the community leaders and the local government. The Jepara Regent then formed the Task Force for Implementing the Operational Activity of Advocating the Nuclear Power Plant in May 1992.

Meanwhile, the government's plan still met a collective resistance from several anti-nuclear NGOs. In Muria, GIAT, together with some local and national NGOs, distributed posters and leaflets and held a film screening about the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. MANI Central Java was no different.

"We employed primordial and territorial issues. We told them, this hazard will happen on your land if you don't take any action. The students from Pati, Kudus, and Jepara would certainly be galvanized to take action," Wahyu recalled.

From 1994 to 1996, MANI and WALHI held the National Dialogue on Energy and conducted an opinion poll which claimed that more than 77.7 percent of the public opposed the PLTN. They suggested the matter of the PLTN project be decided by the people, and if it was ever deemed invalid, a referendum must be held rather than opting for the unilateral decision made by the government.

"It was actually our strategy to disseminate and provide balanced information because at that time there was certain information massively spread by BATAN to the people. They even had an office there and established connections with the village and district heads, while frequently holding seminars on campuses to extend their influence," said Wahyu.

The government, however, was adamant, even incorporating the PLTN in Repelita (the Five-Year Development Plan) VI in 1994/1995-1998/99 or the PJP (Long Term Development) II. The government also drew up a Nuclear Draft Law (RUUK) and submitted it to the DPR in January 1996 for approval. 

To ensure the success of their plan, a number of activists were intimidated and threatened. Seminars were also banned and people were getting arrested. Wahyu Susilo recalled a significant incident that happened while he was taking part in a protest on Kartini Beach, April 1996.

“It coincided with the death of Mrs. Tien (Suharto). Our friends in Solo, Semarang, Salatiga, and Jepara were captured. They were mostly those who took part in the protest on Kartini Beach," said Wahyu, who is also the younger brother of activist Wiji Thukul. As Wahyu can recall, the activists were eventually released with the help of LBH's founder, Adnan Buyung Nasution. 

Wahyu himself was not arrested. The secretariat he was part of in Solo was only patrolled by the security forces who warned them not to take unnecessary action. "It's also because the body (of Tien Suharto) will arrive in Solo."

In Jakarta, discussions regarding the RUUK continued. Amid the incessant demonstrations, the RUUK was finally passed into Law No. 10 of 1997 on Nuclear Power in the DPR Plenary Session in April 1997. 

The law allows the construction, operation, and decommission of the nuclear reactors for commercial purposes, which will be carried out by state-owned enterprises, private entities, or cooperatives. The construction of PLTN was determined by the government after consulting the DPR.

However, the PLTN construction project soon dissipated along with the tumultuous economic crisis and the fall of Suharto's regime.

An Election at Stake

The halt in the PLTN development plan was not for long. After the economic crisis was finally over, BATAN revived its dream. 

According to Sulfikar Amir in "Nuclear revival in Post-Suharto Indonesia", Asian Survey, 50 (2), 2010, the plan to build a nuclear power plant came back to life following the visit of IAEA’s Director General Mohamed ElBaradei to Indonesia in December 1999. 

ElBaradei persuaded President Abdurrahman Wahid to open up the possibility of introducing nuclear energy as an alternative source in the future. He also promised that the IAEA would provide financial and technical support for the study of all potential power generation resources in Indonesia. 

Gus Dur concurred. In 2000, a National Team consisting of various institutions was formed to review the availability of the energy sources in Indonesia and the electricity demand until 2025. The study began a year later and resulted in a report titled Comprehensive Assessment of Different Energy Sources for Electricity Generation in Indonesia (CADES), which concluded that reserves of energy sources, especially fossil materials, cannot meet national electricity needs until 2025.

As a result, the shortage must be made up by New and Renewable Energy (NRE) sources such as solar energy, wind, geothermal, water, biodiesel, and nuclear power. The CADES' report also explicitly emphasizes nuclear power as a competitive power generation option for Indonesia. Therefore, “a decision to move forward with nuclear power must be taken forthwith”.

The CADES report was subsequently submitted to President Megawati Sukarnoputri. In May 2004, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro signed a decree on the National Energy Policy (KEN).

Purnomo maintained his minister position until the reign of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). To implement KEN, SBY issued Presidential Decree No. 5 in 2006. Nuclear energy was included in the target of five percent of the NREs along with biomass, solar, hydropower and wind power; all of which will be realized by 2025.

Despite the small portion, said Sulfikar, "this is the first time nuclear power is included in the national energy scenario, which will give more than enough encouragement for BATAN to regain their confidence in making its dreams a reality."

As a follow-up to KEN, BATAN prepared a road map for the PLTN program. The ownership and construction tenders were scheduled to be determined between 2005 and 2010. The construction of the first reactor was targeted to begin in 2010, while the second one was set to be in the following year. In 2016, the first reactor was projected to operate commercially, followed by the second one in 2017. Construction of the third reactor would begin in 2018 which would be followed by the fourth one a year later, both to start operating commercially around 2025. By then, the Muria PLTN will produce up to 4,000 MW.

The government gave the green light. In 2006, the site candidate for PLTN was determined to be in Ujung Lemahabang, Balong Village, Kembang District, Jepara Regency. The budget allocation for the preparation and dissemination of information regarding PLTN was agreed by the DPR to be included as a budget item in the state budget (APBN). The preparation was then followed by the establishment of various interdepartmental teams.

The construction of PLTN was included in Law No. 17 of 2007 concerning the National Long Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2005-2025 which mandates "to start utilizing nuclear power for electricity generation by strictly considering the safety factors." PLTN was targeted to start operating in 2019 at the latest. 

President SBY implicitly supported the whole process. On 4 July 2007, he visited BATAN’s reactor in Serpong and made a speech emphasizing the importance of nuclear research to solve the energy crisis, food production problem, and global warming. 

"The nuclear development that we're striving for is for the purpose of peace, humanity, and welfare improvement," said SBY.

In line with BATAN's roadmap, in 2008 the government invited foreign contractors to submit a tender for the Muria PLTN construction. PLN also signed a contract with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to conduct an in-depth study about the location, regulation, safety, environmental impact, and construction cost of the Muria PLTN. 

As the PLTN dream started to shape into reality, there were more protests and refusals coming from the people in Jakarta, Kudus, Jepara, and several other regions. Various anti-nuclear organizations such as WALHI, Greenpeace Indonesia, and Masyarakat Rekso Bumi (MAREM) eagerly campaigned about the threat of nuclear energy and organized demonstrations to refuse the government's plan to build four nuclear reactors in the Muria Peninsula.

An unequivocal refusal was expressed by several kiai of NU. Discussion on the Islamic law regarding PLTN was initiated in the Bahtsul Masail forum held by PCNU Jepara with Regional Board Lajnah Bahtsul Masail Nahdlatul Ulama (PW LBM NU) Central Java in September 2007. At the end of the forum, they declared an unlawful fatwa over PLTN provided that it may cause more danger than benefit.

Due to strong opposition from the public, SBY had to postpone the PLTN project. The decision was also made for the sake of securing his vote in the 2009 presidential election. Despite his ultimate triumph in the election, SBY was reluctant to resume the Muria nuclear project.

On the other hand, IAEA had declared that Indonesia was ready and qualified to build PLTN, with only one requirement left to be fulfilled: a political decision from the government. However, even after SBY's reign ended, that political decision was never made.

BATAN had no other choice than to postpone the entire construction of the Muria PLTN.

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Finding Another Site

While awaiting a more favorable situation, BATAN was in the search of another PLTN site that is suitable and with less resistance. Between 2011-2013, BATAN collaborated with PLN to do a feasibility study in Bangka Belitung Province. The study later proved that it is possible to build PLTN with the capacity of six thousand megawatts in West Bangka and four thousand megawatts in South Bangka.

In response to the study result, the anti-nuclear activists raised their voice and cited the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011 as a reason to oppose the plan. 

Regarding the security, BATAN claimed that they have owned a power ramp test facility (PRTF) installation in the Building 80 of Puspiptek Serpong to anticipate the radioactive leakage. The PRTF installation and its reactor are able to simulate the accident similar to Three Mile Island nuclear plant in the United States (1979), Chernobyl in Russia (1968), and Fukushima in Japan (2011).

"We can simulate the safety system test accident like in Chernobyl. We put the fuel rods into the PRTF installation and when we tested it like at Chernobyl, it can move itself to lower the neutron flux. We can also simulate the loss of cooling like in Fukushima," said Muhammad Subekti.

In April 2011, at the Complaint Center Maarif Institute Jakarta, the activists of Southeast Asia Greenpeace along with Walhi, Institute for Essential Service Reform, Masyarakat Rekso Bumi (Marem), and several other nuclear experts conveyed eleven points of logical fallacies and public lies regarding PLTN.

The points consisted of their rebuttal of BATAN's claims regarding the threat of the energy crisis in the future, the sovereignty and security of national energy, BATAN's readiness, PLTN as a solution for clean energy that is efficient and economical, and its technology that is getting safer.

They concluded that for the sake of the security of the Indonesian people, the government should drop their plan of constructing PLTN in a country that is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire where disasters are prone to happen.

BATAN refused to give up just yet. They conducted another feasibility study in West Kalimantan in collaboration with the West Kalimantan provincial government and the region's university. The study was included in the national research priority program starting from 2020 to 2024. 

Although there isn't any confirmation yet regarding the site for the power plant, Kalimantan is considered as a strong candidate. Aside from the approval and support from the community and the government, Kalimantan is relatively stable and has the least risk of earthquakes. The region also has the potential of uranium, the core of the nuclear reactor's fuel. However, it is just a potential and not an actual reserve that is available to be exploited.

"If it was me, I would be like the Bangladesh people whose economy is below us but are confident to own a PLTN. Why should we put our entire hope on the uranium that still needs to be further exploited? We can just build a PLTN and buy (the uranium) through import," said Djarot.

According to Djarot, there is no need to detest the idea of importing raw material as long as the price is stable. The government also needn't be concerned about the initial investment for PLTN that is four times more expensive than a steam power plant (PLTU).

"The advantage is that PLTN can operate for up to 60 years, compared to the probable span of 25 years for PLTU. So there is a compensation; it is expensive yet durable. The electricity price is also competitive. Coal (PLTU) is probably USD3 cent/KWH, but from our calculation in BATAN, PLTN can be USD7 cent/KWH," said Djarot.

Zero Net Emissions

NUCLEAR as one of the NREs is currently included in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) work programs, especially after the government committed to achieving net zero emission (NZE) or carbon-free emission by 2060 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement 2015.

"Whether we like it or not, we cannot deny that PLTN is needed," said Muhammad Subekti, director of Nuclear Facility Management (PFK) at ORTN-BRIN.

According to the data report by the Directorate General of Electricity Ministry of ESDM in January 2022, in a one year period in 2021, the total supply of the national electricity is up to 73,736 MW for both residential and industrial purposes. Steam-electric Power Plant (PLTU) still dominates with 50 percent, followed by Combined-cycle Power Plant (PLTGU) with 17 percent. Meanwhile, the power plants from NRE such as solar, biomass, and geothermal are still 3.2 percent in total.

In the ESDM's roadmap, the government still prioritizes Solar Power Plants (PLTS) in 2030, then Hydroelectric Power Plants (PLTA) and geothermal energy in 2035 to replace PLTU. Lastly, the PLTN will have its turn in 2045.

According to Djarot, the better replacement for PLTU that can generate continuous and reliable energy is PLTN.

"Solar and wind power rely heavily on the condition, season, and weather, except if the battery storage technology is already advanced. For PLTA or geothermal, both are quite challenging as they can only be built in a secluded and specific area. Is it really reliable for our industry or is it the other way around?" doubted Djarot.

Djarot's statement was in line with a study done by Sebelas Maret University in collaboration with PT Thorcon Power Indonesia, an American company that is concerned with the development of PLTN in Indonesia.  In September 2021, they published “Kajian Akademik Nuklir Sebagai Solusi dari Energi Ramah Lingkungan yang Berkelanjutan untuk Mengejar Indonesia Sejahtera dan Rendah Karbon pada Tahun 2050” (Academic Study on Nuclear as a Solution for Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Energy for a Prosperous and Low-Carbon Future of Indonesia in 2050).

The executive summary confirms that even if Indonesia's entire energy potential can be extracted to generate power, it will still fall short of the 35 GW target set by President Jokowi. Therefore, the energy transition to nuclear energy can be a solution to replace fossil energy.

The study also answers the issues regarding nuclear energy such as the accident, environment, waste, and radiation hazard. Compared to the other energy, PLTN is superior. Meanwhile, the notion that nuclear is sunsetting and started to be phased out is simply not true.  Despite its declined popularity after the Fukushima tragedy, the development of PLTN still increased after 2013, as seen in the 2.3% annual growth of global PLTN construction.

According to the study, the fourth generation of PLTN in the type of Small Medium Reactor (SMR) could potentially be the transition energy in Indonesia. "The discussion about PLTN that has been happening for four decades should be enough to initiate the PLTN construction because it is indispensable in reinforcing the national energy."

Contrasting opinions came from several groups. In the webinar “Dinamika Perkembangan PLTN Pasca Kecelakaan Fukushima”, Tatsujiro Suzuki, professor at the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition in Nagasaki University who was also part of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) (2010-2014), revealed that the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster has changed the trajectory of Japan's energy sector. 

Before the Fukushima disaster, there were 54 operating PLTN units, but the number decreased to 10 units in 2021. Because of the disaster, the investment in the security and accident cost for the nuclear power plants were also raised, making PLTN no longer the cheapest one in Japan based on cost. Suzuki emphasized that PLTN is like a powerful medicine with strong side effects, and it is not advisable to take it without an imperative necessity.

Similarly, M.V Ramana, professor and director of Liu Institute for Global Issues from the University of British Columbia, pointed out that the golden era of PLTN was already over around three decades ago due to several factors such as the soaring construction cost of a reactor in comparison with the costs of solar and wind power that are continuously decreasing.

According to Wahyu Susilo, to achieve the NZE commitment, the government can maximize the other NREs such as solar, wave, wind, biomass, and geothermal power. "It's true that nuclear power can now be an option, but it shouldn't be the first option when the other energies are still not maximized. Also, the risk (of nuclear power) can be profound," explained Wahyu.

The risk will further increase if it isn't equipped with a proper mitigation. Wahyu took the example of the Java-Bali blackout incident in August 2019. 

"We didn't even have a good mitigation when the two-day blackout happened back then. What if it is a nuclear accident? That's where my doubt lies," said Wahyu. 

Will PLTN ever exist in Indonesia?*