by Roffie Kurniawan
Jakarta — Indonesia is studying locations for its first nuclear power plants, with Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia identifying the Riau Islands as a potential site as the government seeks to strengthen energy security and diversify electricity supplies.
“We are studying [a plant] that we will place in the Riau Islands. This is to maintain our energy security, and the calculations are still ongoing,” Bahlil said at a press conference at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry on Monday, October 26.
Other areas under consideration include Halmahera in North Maluku, Kalimantan and Sumatra. The government is also exploring international technology partnerships, including with Russia, the United States, South Korea and Japan. A proposed project in Halmahera is being studied in cooperation with Russia, although the government has yet to confirm the final locations and technologies.
The government expects to finalise the location for its first nuclear facility by 2027, according to state news agency Antara. The current plan targets initial nuclear capacity connected to the national grid in 2032–2034, although the specific commissioning schedule and capacity will depend on project development and regulatory approvals.
A long-delayed nuclear ambition
Indonesia’s nuclear power ambitions date back several decades but have yet to result in a commercial nuclear power plant.
In 1989, the government began studying the Muria Peninsula in Central Java as a potential location for a nuclear facility. A feasibility study completed in 1996 examined a proposed plant with a capacity of about 7,000 megawatts. The project was shelved indefinitely in early 1997 amid changing economic and political circumstances.
The government revived the ambition in subsequent years. In December 2022, Indonesia announced plans to develop nuclear power by 2039. The administration of President Prabowo Subianto subsequently accelerated the target to 2032–2034 as electricity demand grows and the country seeks to reduce emissions.
A significant step came with the state electricity company PLN’s 2025–2034 Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL), which included nuclear power in the national electricity development roadmap. The plan envisaged an initial 500 MW of nuclear capacity, with a 250 MW unit in the Sumatra-Bangka system targeted for 2032 and another 250 MW unit in Kalimantan for 2033.
The government has identified 28 potential nuclear plant sites through earlier surveys, with further locations being considered. Site assessments cover seismic conditions, volcanic hazards, geological faults and other safety considerations. The final selection will require detailed feasibility studies, regulatory clearance and suitable supporting infrastructure.
Nuclear power’s place in the energy mix
Nuclear power currently accounts for zero of Indonesia’s commercial electricity generation, despite the country’s decades of planning and nuclear research. Existing nuclear facilities are used for research rather than commercial electricity production.
Indonesia’s electricity supply remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, particularly coal. In 2023, coal generated about 69% of the country’s electricity, while natural gas contributed around 13%. Hydropower and geothermal energy accounted for approximately 6% and 4%, respectively, with biofuels and waste contributing another 6%. Oil supplied the remaining 2%.
The figures illustrate the challenge facing Indonesia as it seeks to expand low-carbon electricity while meeting rising demand from households, industrial estates and data centres. Nuclear power could provide continuous electricity without the direct carbon dioxide emissions associated with burning coal or gas, complementing variable sources such as solar and wind.
The revised National Energy Policy adopted in 2025 formally incorporated nuclear energy into Indonesia’s long-term energy mix. Under the policy, nuclear is targeted to contribute around 0.4%–0.5% of the energy mix by 2032, rising to approximately 11.7%–12.1% by 2060. These are policy targets, not existing generation shares, and their achievement depends on projects being built and brought into operation.
Technology, investment and safety challenges
Deputy Energy Minister Yuliot Tanjung has said preparations must begin early because constructing a nuclear power plant can take seven to 10 years. The government is coordinating with PLN to assess locations and prepare the infrastructure needed to connect future plants to the electricity grid.
Small modular reactors (SMRs), which are designed to be built in smaller units than conventional nuclear plants, have emerged as one potential option for the initial programme. Russia has also promoted floating nuclear power technology for Indonesia’s island geography. However, the technology and commercial structure for each proposed project remain subject to development and approval.
The program will require substantial investment, experienced operators, robust regulatory oversight, secure fuel management and plans for radioactive waste. Site selection must also account for environmental risks, natural hazards and the safety of nearby communities.
For Indonesia, the immediate task is to turn its nuclear ambitions into viable projects. The Riau Islands, Halmahera, Sumatra and Kalimantan are among the areas under consideration, but none should be treated as a confirmed location for the first plant until the government completes its assessments.
If the 2032–2034 target is achieved, nuclear power would mark a major change in Indonesia’s electricity system. For now, however, the country remains at the planning and preparation stage, with the success of its programme dependent on whether the government can resolve the technical, financial, regulatory and safety challenges that have delayed nuclear development for decades.
Banner photo: Image generated by OpenAI’s DALL·E via ChatGPT (2024)
