Jakarta (ANTARA) - The ongoing collaboration between the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) aims to strengthen the global nuclear energy infrastructure.

As part of the cooperation, which has been on for years, a workshop for a technical cooperation program entitled "Interregional Workshop on Self-Evaluation of Infrastructure Development for New Nuclear Power Programs" was held from September 23 to 27, 2024, in Jakarta.

The workshop was attended by 30 representatives from 21 IAEA member countries.

"Through participation in the IAEA technical cooperation program, Indonesia can benefit from strengthening the national nuclear energy program infrastructure, as well as take a central role as a facilitator in strengthening competencies for other member countries interested in developing nuclear energy programs in their countries," BRIN's deputy for development policy, Mego Pinandito, said here on Monday.

He emphasized that preparing and strengthening various aspects of nuclear energy infrastructure is important to ensure that the nuclear energy utilization plan is implemented properly in terms of economics, technological readiness, human resources, and safety aspects.

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Referring to the IAEA Milestone Approach, he said that in drawing up the national nuclear energy program plan, it is necessary to prepare and strengthen various aspects of infrastructure to ensure that the program can be implemented according to plan.

"Hopefully, we can organize various activities related to nuclear technology legally, in terms of regulations, then infrastructure, institutions, and so on. So that when the time comes we will be ready," he added.

BRIN is currently working with the relevant stakeholders to finalize the construction and operation plan for nuclear power plants (PLTNs) as part of the National Energy Policy (KEN) target for optimizing the use of new and renewable energy.

According to him, the workshop could support learning and the exchange of ideas among related stakeholders, especially those from Indonesia, which they could deliberate on before implementing them in the country.

"So, we can learn from countries that already have them (nuclear power plants) on how their operations (are) like, what are the difficulties, what are the challenges like. If we are talking about benefits, there are really a lot," Pinandito added.

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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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