Jakarta – The construction of nuclear power plants (PLTN) is still awaiting an official decision from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR). However, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) has granted site evaluation approval to PT Thorcon Power Indonesia (PT TPI) for the site on Kelasa Island, Bangka Belitung. Until now, no one has received a site licence.
MEMR’s Director General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), Eniya Listiani Dewi, stressed on Monday, 11 August, that the site evaluation from Bapeten does not mean that the construction permit has been obtained.
“No one has received a site permit from Bapeten yet. Later, all licences, planning, investment, and operation will be decided by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, because this is related to electricity generation,” he said.
According to Eniya, the government is currently still in the coordination stage across ministries and institutions that are members of six Working Groups (Pokja) for nuclear power plants. Members of the Pokja include the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and other related agencies.
Shortly, the Pokja PLTN will hold a follow-up meeting to discuss the determination of policies and next steps. Eniya ensures that every decision taken will be in line with the direct guidance of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources as the highest authority.
Meanwhile, PT Thorcon Power Indonesia (TPI) has obtained Site Evaluation approval from the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) for the location on Kelasa Island, Bangka Belitung Islands. With this permit, the company plans to begin groundbreaking in 2027.
CEO of ThorCon International Pte. Ltd, Matt Wilkinson, emphasised that the process towards a commercial nuclear power plant is still long, but the progress so far makes him optimistic.
“In addition to the licensing process, we have almost finalised the design of the power plant. This allows us to start construction in 2027, complete it in 2029, operate and supply fuel in 2030, reach full capacity in 2031, and obtain an operating licence in 2032,” he said.
The nuclear power plant will have a capacity of 2×250 MW (First-of-a-Kind/FOAK) and will be financed without state budget funds. The site approval process refers to BAPETEN Regulation Number 1 of 2022, which regulates the stages of licensing from site, construction, commissioning, to operation.
BAPETEN issued Decree of the Head of the Agency Number 00003.556.1.300725 on 30 July 2025, after evaluating the application submitted by TPI on 21 January 2025. The site evaluation itself is a risk analysis of the location and surrounding conditions for nuclear installation safety.
Bapeten’s Director of Licensing for Nuclear Installations and Materials, Wiryono, said on Thursday, 7 August, that the technical process was completed faster than the target. “The technical evaluation was completed in only 126 working days, faster than the initial target of one year,” he explained. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: Image generated by OpenAI’s DALL·E via ChatGPT (2024)
