RI Collaborates with Neighboring Countries to Build Nuclear Power Plant
Wednesday, 09 November, 2011 | 15:46 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Bandung:The government has encouraged the construction of nuclear power plant to be managed by neighboring countries, such as Singapore, to allow joint-supervision. “We build the power plant in Batam then export the electricity to Singapore. Both countries could supervise it. That would be safer than building it ourselves,” said the Energy and Mineral Resources deputy minister Widjajono Partowidagdo yesterday.


The plan has not been discussed with Singapore. Both countries’ cooperation remained in the power house development and coal energy sectors. Indonesia builds the power plant and exports the electricity to Singapore.


Widjajono said Indonesia still had many things to manage before developing nuclear power plant, as it would need the public’s approval. The fact that Indonesia is prone to disaster should also be considered. “I’m not saying that we’re not capable technology-wise, but we haven’t even built a decent coal power house. Sometimes the coal is mixed with stones,” he said.


President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed the Energy Minister to accelerate geothermal or natural gas power house construction. “Soon Minister Jero Wacik will tell the forestry minister that Indonesia will grant the license for 20 geothermal utilization locations,” he said.


AHMAD FIKRI