"The government has designated nuclear energy as a part of new and renewable energy to achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2060," Head of the Nuclear Technology Research Center of BRIN, Topan Setiadipura, noted in a statement from his office on Wednesday (June 19).
Setiadipura explained that 80 small modular reactor designs are currently being developed globally, one of which is a 40-megawatt thermal power and industrial steam generator called PeLUIt-40, jointly developed by BRIN and several national institutions.
He affirmed that the national policy provides an opportunity for the PeLUIt-40 technology to contribute to the energy or electricity sector in Indonesia.
Setiadipura said that during the period from 2030 to 2034, especially in 2032, the initial target of production of 250 megawatts is an opportunity for small modular reactors to enter the electricity or energy market in Indonesia.
"This will be a key factor in achieving the national energy transition," he remarked.
He then drew attention to two strategies to realize small modular reactors as the first nuclear power plant technology in Indonesia, with the first being collaboration with international vendors to implement small modular reactor technology.
Currently, several small modular reactor vendors are establishing communication with parties in Indonesia for initial agreements. Some have carried out further techno-economic studies related to the implementation of certain small modular reactor technologies, he remarked.
Moreover, some international vendors have already opened offices in Indonesia and are carrying out the stages of development and implementation of small modular reactors.
The second strategy entails collaborating to encourage national technology development through strategic cooperation with international parties. One of these national technologies is PeLUIt-40 through co-development cooperation and implementation in Indonesia, he remarked.
"Both strategies require progressive collaboration between small modular reactor vendors at the global level and energy companies in Indonesia," Setiadipura stated.
The PeLUIt-40 has been designed by BRIN since 2021 as a continuation of development by the National Atomic Energy Agency (Batan) before joining BRIN. PeLUIt-40 is a gas-cooled, ultra-high-temperature reactor.
Related news: BRIN to pursue two nuclear projects in 2024
Related news: TPNW Bill ratification encourages world peace: Minister
Translator: Sugiharto Purnama, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
