Indonesia's National Energy Council has proposed constructing nuclear power plants at 29 sites across the archipelago, a move raising safety concerns in the earthquake-prone nation.
The sites, spanning North Sumatra to West Papua, are part of the country's strategy to reduce carbon emissions and secure stable energy sources.
Council member Agus Puji Prasetyono emphasised nuclear energy's inevitability, citing examples from other G20 countries such as Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. "How come we are the only [country] who doesn't have one?" he questioned.
The proposal comes as Indonesia aims to phase out coal and fossil fuel power plants within 15 years, aligning with its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. Major industries, particularly nickel refining, rely on consistent energy, which nuclear power could provide.
Environmental groups, however, have voiced strong opposition. Hendrikus Adam of WALHI warned of the risks, recalling the catastrophic 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.
"We think nuclear plants are risky, dangerous and harmful for humans and the environment," he said.
Authorities insist on stringent safety measures with viability studies ensuring proposed sites are at least five kilometres from fault lines. Advanced technology with enhanced safety systems is also planned for the reactors.
Negotiations are underway with foreign entities, including companies from China, Russia and the US, to acquire the necessary infrastructure. Indonesia is also exploring small modular reactors (SMRs), which have a capacity of up to 300 megawatts and promise lower risks.
The proposal underscores Indonesia's balancing act between achieving energy security and addressing environmental and safety concerns in a geologically volatile region.