The Indonesian government has recently expedited its timeline for the commercial operation of nuclear power plants (PLTN), aiming for completion by 2032. This decision has been incorporated into the revised National Electricity General Plan (RKUN).
Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), revealed that the government is finalizing the organizational framework for coordinating domestic nuclear power plants activities, known as the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO).
“We have already integrated nuclear energy into our energy mix in the RKUN,” said Eniya during a meeting at the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Monday (25/3/2024). She also noted that several investors have shown interest in investing in domestic nuclear development.
According to her, “We have seen interest from companies like Thorcon initiating Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and also from Russia, so there are several parties starting to get involved, but we need to ensure the organizational setup first.”
The government’s decision to expedite the timeline for the commercial operation of PLTN to 2032, previously set for 2039 in the national zero-carbon emissions roadmap, comes from the revision of Government Regulation (PP) No. 79 of 2014 concerning the National Energy Policy (KEN).
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In connection with this revision, the government is preparing an inter-ministerial certificate to be submitted to parliament, emphasizing the importance of aligning plans and policies.
The installed capacity of PLTN by 2032 is projected to be between 1 gigawatt (GW) to 2 GW for small-scale operations, with the aim of enhancing investment certainty in clean energy alternatives.
Darmawan Prasodjo, President Director of PT PLN (Persero), expressed optimism about aligning the Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) 2021-2030 with the RKUN.
“PLN has been working to finalize the new RUPTL, and for the first time in Indonesia’s history, RKUN and RUPTL will be aligned. This is extraordinary,” said Darmawan during an event on Tuesday (14/11/2023).
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between PLN and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to ensure the smooth implementation of these plans.
Based on projections for the RKUN, electricity demand from 2024 to 2060 is expected to grow steadily, with plans for increasing electricity generation capacity to meet future needs.
The plan includes a significant increase in power generation from new renewable energy sources (EBT), accounting for 75% of the total addition of new power plants outlined in the revised RUPTL.
The government aims to finalize these plans to ensure sustainable and reliable energy supply for Indonesia’s future development.