INDONESIA NEED RUSSIAN NUCLEAR

N- May 28, 2025 - The Deputy Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR – Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat), Eddy Soeparno, has said that Indonesia should learn about nuclear power plant development from Russia.

“Through nuclear energy development, Russia has shown its breakthrough in renewable energy globally, and it serves as an example for Indonesia for similar technology development,” Soeparno explained, according to a written statement issued by the MPR (upper house of parliament). His remarks came during a meeting the First Deputy Speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, Andrey Yatskin, on the sidelines of the XI Nevsky International Ecological Congress in St Petersburg.

Soeparno noted that Rosatom has developed modular nuclear power plants that have passed the trial stage. Hence, he said he expects Indonesia and Russia to forge cooperation in NPP development, particularly technology and innovation exchanges between experts from the two countries. “(Through this step) Our human resources in the renewable energy sector will be more educated and trained in handling the newest technologies,” he added.

During their meeting, Soeparno and Yatskin also discussed ways to increase bilateral trade. “We will also take follow-up measures on Russia’s initiatives to our stakeholders as our support to President Prabowo Subianto’s diplomacy strategy on joining BRICS and increasing exports to emerging economies,” Soeparno said.

The Indonesian Energy & Mineral Resources Ministry is considering developing floating NPPs for remote regions in the eastern Indonesian region. Such plants could replace the fossil fuel-based power plants commonly used in the region, the Director General for Electricity at the Ministry, Jisman P Hutajulu, said earlier in May.

Jisman noted that several key strategic energy documents have been finalised, including the National Energy Policy (KEN – Kebijakan Energi Nasional), approved by the House of Representatives (lower house of parliament), and the National Electricity General Plan (RUKN – Rencana Umum Ketenagalistrikan Nasional) for 2024-2060, officially issued by Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. He added that the Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL – Rencana Usaha Penyediaan Tenaga Listrik) 2025-2034 is nearing completion and will soon be formalised by the Ministry.

The draft RUPTL includes a plan for nuclear energy integration over the next decade, with a target capacity of 500 MWe. However, Jisman acknowledged that nuclear power development still faces significant challenges, particularly concerning safety concerns and public acceptance.

In support of these developments, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN – Badan Pengawas Tenaga Nuklir) is currently revising the Nuclear Energy Law to strengthen legal and safety frameworks. “We are updating Law No. 10/1997 on Nuclear Energy to include provisions on security, preparedness, international cooperation, and law enforcement,” said Haendra Subekti, Deputy for Safety Assessment at BAPETEN.

The Indonesian government has also announced plans to build a 250 MWe on-grid nuclear power facility, initially targeted for operation by 2032 but now being fast-tracked for completion by 2029. This forms part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to transition to new and renewable energy sources. According to RUKN 2025–2060, total power capacity is projected to reach 443 GWe by 2060, with 79% coming from renewable sources.

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