REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BATAM -- The National Atomic Energy Agency (Batan) has recommended the establishment of nuclear power plants (PLTN) in the Bangka Belitong Province.
"Bangka Island, which is composed of granite, can sustain the construction of PLTN and its land is relatively stable," Batan Head Djarot Sulistio Wisnusubroto said here on Thursday.
Batan also recommended Menggris Gulf, West Bangka, and Sebagin Village, South Bangka as locations for PLTN.
"Bangka Island is relatively safe from earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. The island was recommended for the establishment of PLTN," he remarked.
The development of a nuclear power plant on Bangka Island is also considered strategic, because the location is not far from the Sumatra Island.
"The nuclear power plant can supply electricity to Sumatra," he stated.
State-owned electricity company PLN is also conducting a study on the price of electricity, which is produced by nuclear power plants.
"Its value is lower than using coal fuel," Djarot noted.
The price of electricity using coal fuel reached Rp9 cents per kilowatt hour (KWh), while the price of electricity produced by nuclear power plant was only Rp 6-Rp 8 cents KWh.
"The price is competitive," he said.
However, Batan cannot ensure the construction of the PLTN in Bangka Island, depending on the policy of the central government.
"We are just technical support. We help choose technology and the proper location," Djarot affirmed.
On the occasion, the Secretary General of the National Security Council, M Munir emphasized that Indonesia requires a nuclear power station.
Munir pointed out that the potential of nuclear energy in Indonesia was very large.
"Unfortunately, the nuclear energy has yet to be empowered optimally," he noted.
The Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Learning Education, Mohamad Nasir, had earlier said Indonesia must immediately build a nuclear power plant to meet the electricity needs of 60,000 megawatt by 2025.
"A nuclear power plant must be given serious consideration," he argued.
He pointed out that the trend has shifted from oil and coal to new and renewable energy sources, including nuclear energy.
He cited the example of France, saying it has been producing and using nuclear power, and also exports it. Germany, although it has decided to stop nuclear power development, still uses energy produced by France?s nuclear power plants.
In the Middle East, he added, the United Arab Emirates is building four nuclear power plants, which will be completed at the rate of one plant each year between 2017 and 2020.
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