JAKARTA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has decided to accelerate the adoption of nuclear energy to enhance the country's energy security, with plans for future expansion, a minister said on Tuesday.
The government aims to begin harnessing nuclear energy by 2032, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said in a statement issued by the ministry.
"Nuclear energy is a breakthrough that we must pursue. The target is to benefit from nuclear energy starting in 2032," he said.
Bahlil, who also serves as the chairperson of the National Energy Council, emphasized that the council had thoroughly discussed the initiative. He highlighted that the adoption of nuclear energy would diversify Indonesia's energy mix and lower the basic cost of electricity, addressing future energy supply challenges.
"This initiative will enhance the use of renewable energy. As an initial step, we will start with a small-scale nuclear power plant, with a capacity of 250 megawatts to 500 megawatts. However, in the future, the development will be expanded to a larger scale," he said.
During a recent overseas visit, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his commitment to incorporating nuclear energy as part of Indonesia's energy diversification strategy to address global warming and national energy demands.
The Indonesian government has set a target to achieve a 23 percent renewable energy mix by 2025 and is committed to supporting net zero emissions by 2060. ■
