Moscow, KOMPAS – Studies about the use of nuclear as the source of energy for electricity in Indonesia is needed. Indonesia cannot continue to rely on coal as the primary energy source of electricity because of its non-renewable nature and we have to encourage more use of renewable energy.

Business Regional Director of East Jawa, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara PT PLN (Persero) Djoko Rahardjo Abumanan said, nuclear can be the option as the source of energy of electricity power plant in Indonesia.

This has been regulated on Government Regulation (PP) Number 79 Year 2014 about National Energy Policy regarding the use of nuclear mentioned as the last alternative. However, more comprehensive study about the use of nuclear as electricity power plant hasn’t been done.

“At least we need preparation to move to a study phase on Nuclear energy. Moreover, coal won’t be enough and it will run out.” Said Djoko in his visit to Moskwa, Rusia, Tuesday (4/8/2018).

Apart from PLN directors, this work visit also included academics from several universities in Indonesia and several electricity observers. One of the places they visited was the NPP operated by Rosatom.

Rosatom is the largest developer of power plants in Russia. Throughout 2017, the company has produced 202.869 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity. The company has also developed 35 nuclear power plants (PLTN) operating in 11 countries.

Need Support

The development of NPP in Indonesia, regarding to Djoko, still faces a big issue – the perception of the public towards nuclear technologies. To overcome this, Indonesia needs the right expertise and support from many parties in order to develop nuclear as an energy source in Indonesia.

Universitas Gadjah Mada Rector, Yogyakarta, Panut Mulyono said there is no harm for Indonesia to start working on the development of nuclear to be used in a power plant. The effort to increase the electrification ratio in Indonesia is needed to stimulate industry growth, as well as the electricity industry itself.

Besides that, Director of Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) Fabby Tumiwa reminded that renewable energy in Indonesia need to be developed especially since the rapid development of technology, the price of electricity from renewable energy can compete with the price of fossil energy like coal for example. The mandate of a renewable energy target of 23 percent in the national energy mix in 2025 must also be implemented.

Regarding the weakening of the rupiah against the US dollar, Central Java Regional Business Director PLN Amir Rosidin said, PLN had recorded losses of around 5 trillion IDR during the first half of 2018.

The weakening of the rupiah also caused a difference of up to Rp 11.4 trillion for PLN's operations or debt payments. However, PLN's financial performance began to be positive in July 2018, although its value was still brought in at IDR 1 trillion
Source: Kompas