Indonesia is planning to build 10 GW of nuclear power as part of a major push for renewable energy, a presidential adviser says
In an interview, a senior adviser to President Prabowo said that Indonesia is planning a major expansion of renewable energy in Indonesia by 2040. This will include the introduction of nuclear power of 10 GW. Contracts are expected in the next five year, the aide added.
Hashim Djojohadikusumo is Prabowo’s brother, and the President’s Special Envoy for Energy and Climate. He said that this would double the current capacity, as Indonesia, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Hashim, a New Yorker, said that "many contracts will be... in the next five year... especially nuclear (contracts), because of the long lead time."
He said that Indonesia wants to add 103 GW of power by 2040. This will be made up of 75GW solar, wind and geothermal energy, 10GW nuclear, and 18 GW gas.
Indonesia has a current installed capacity of 90 GW. More than half is coal. The country's current power capacity is less than 15 GW, and it has no nuclear plants.
Hashim stated that the Russian nuclear company Rosatom, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), Britain's Rolls Royce and France's EDF, as well as NuScale, a U.S. firm that builds small modular reactors, have expressed interest in Indonesian nuclear ambitions.
He said that it was possible for them to co-invest in an institution such as Danantara, the newly launched sovereign wealth fund of Indonesia.
Hashim stated that no decision had been taken about the location of nuclear plants. This is a controversial issue in a nation that lies on both sides of the Pacific Ring of Fire where the Earth's crust meets different plates, increasing the risk of volcanic activity and earthquakes.
He said that the west part of Indonesia is suitable for nuclear plants with a single site, which can produce around 1 GW. In the east, floating small modular reactors capable of generating 700 megawatts are suitable.
Hashim stated that the government was committed to the energy transition. He said the goal would be achieved in a balanced way, as President tries to increase the economic growth rate of the country to 8%.
"The government doesn't want to commit suicide economically. He said that there would be no phase-out, but a phase-down.
Hashim stated that a deal with the Asian Development Bank to retire the Cirebon-1 coal fired plant early in West Java, backed by the $20 Billion Just Energy Transition Partnership, is expected to be finalized in the coming months.
The U.S. withdrawal from JETP has been a major obstacle to the energy transformation. (Reporting and editing by John Mair, Kate Mayberry, and Stefanno Sulaiman)
(source: Reuters)
