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Nuclear power plant could be operational by 2016

JAKARTA - The construction of a nuclear power plant could commence by 2010 with commercial operation beginning by 2016, said the chief of Indonesia's National Atomic Energy Agency (Batan), Soedaryatomo Soentono.

"Right now we can't talk about investment because construction of the project will be started by 2010 and its operation by 2016," he said here.

Soentono added that his side had planned a tender in 2008 to find the best company or consortium to build the project.

The benefits of a nuclear power plant in the country are based on the comprehensive assessment of different energy source's power generation in Indonesia made in 2002. The study was carried out by several institutions and non-governmental organizations engaged in the energy sector. It was concluded in the study that the use of nuclear energy in power generation was technologically and economically feasible for operation by 2016.

According to Soentono, the proposal on the building of a nuclear power plant had already been submitted to the president last August. Batan, he said, is making preparations, including the allocation of Rp 5,2 billion for the socialization of the project, application of nuclear technology to the country's energy system, and for the study of regulations for a nuclear power plant.

Apart from these, the agency is also making preparations for the construction of the project, including the location, a technological feasibility study and further study of local and national economic impacts.

(Asia Pulse/Antara)
 
Nov 18, 2003


 
         
         
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