- Indonesia plans to build 4 GW of nuclear power plants to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
- The government also aims to develop floating small modular reactors, with nuclear operations potentially starting by 2036.
- Indonesia will halt the construction of new coal power plants by 2040 but will not close existing ones.
Indonesia plans to build nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 4 gigawatts (GW) to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Hashim Djojohadikusumo, a close adviser to President Prabowo Subianto, announced the move during a sustainability forum on Friday.
Indonesia’s current power capacity exceeds 90 GW, with more than half being coal-powered. Renewable energy accounts for less than 15%. Indonesia currently lacks nuclear capacity, a contentious issue due to the country’s vulnerability to earthquakes.
Djojohadikusumo revealed that the government also aims to develop floating small modular reactors. He did not specify how many reactors the country would build or when operations would begin. Last year, an Indonesian official stated that nuclear plants could start operating by 2036.
“This is all an answer to the challenges posed by climate change,” Djojohadikusumo said, underscoring the country’s commitment to tackling environmental concerns.
Nuclear energy sparks controversy over its toxic waste. Critics argue that the risks associated with waste disposal make nuclear power unsuitable for green energy strategies. Still, Indonesia presses ahead with its atomic plan as part of its broader strategy to cut emissions.
Djojohadikusumo also criticised the G7’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), launched in 2022. The JETP promised Indonesia $20 billion to help reduce emissions. However, Djojohadikusumo claimed the program disbursed the funds too slowly, calling it a “failed” initiative.
On coal, Djojohadikusumo stated that the Indonesian government will not shut all coal power plants by 2040 but will stop building new plants. Indonesia remains the world’s largest exporter of thermal coal, and coal power generation continues to generate significant emissions.
The Indonesian government’s commitment to nuclear energy signals a clear step toward diversifying its energy mix. While nuclear power remains carbon-free, environmental risks tied to radioactive waste continue to spark debate. Nevertheless, Indonesia forges ahead with its plan to balance fossil fuels and renewables, setting a course for a cleaner energy future.