Representatives from Thorcon Power Indonesia (TPI) and BAPETEN at the Meteorology Station at the International Airport Pangkal Pinang. (Photo: Thorcon International)
Indonesia takes key step toward first nuclear plant. Thorcon International, Singapore-based nuclear technology developer has received official approval for the Kelasa site evaluation plan (PET) and the site evaluation management system plan (SMET) from the nuclear regulator, BAPETEN.
It is the first-ever nuclear power plant-related licensing approval from the Indonesian government, and it marks the completion of the first step of Thorcon’s nuclear power plant licensing campaign in Indonesia.
MSR technology aims to compete with coal on cost
The approval comes after the Indonesian government announced in May of this year its aim to introduce 10 GW of nuclear power by 2040. Currently, more than half of Indonesia’s installed power capacity is coal. As the country looks to phase out fossil fuel use and achieve energy security, it needs a viable alternative.
Thorcon’s molten-salt reactor (MSR) technology and shipyard-build approach is positioned to deliver nuclear power to the region that is cost competitive with coal, according to the statement.
Recognizing the huge potential for nuclear power development in Indonesia, Thorcon established a domestic engineering and licensing team, PT Thorcon Power Indonesia (TPI). The approval demonstrates the company’s competence in understanding and complying with Indonesia’s nuclear regulatory requirements when developing the Kelasa site for a nuclear power plant. It also demonstrates that TPI has organizational competence in planning and conducting the approved nuclear activities.
“We see enormous potential for nuclear power in Indonesia, which is why we have established a domestic nuclear power and licensing team,” says Kun Chen, Chief Nuclear Officer. “We are the first and only nuclear company to have done this.”
The approval from BAPETEN is a signal that Indonesia is ready to develop and license nuclear power quickly, following its promise to award contracts within five years to meet clean energy targets. The licensing application was predominantly completed by TPI staff and domestic contractors, with the review and approval completed entirely by the Indonesian regulators.
With its rich tin resources, ThorCon selected Bangka Belitung province as the location for its nuclear power plant project. (Chart: Wikimedia Commons)
Thorcon’s Indonesia team leads breakthrough
The next steps for the Kelasa site are to obtain the site license and design approval, with the potential to start construction in 2027 and achieve full power by 2031. This project will provide domestic jobs related to preparing the site to receive the power plant, operating and securing the plant once it is fully deployed, and building and operating an Indonesia-based fuel salt preparation center.
Once the plant is fully deployed, it will provide clean electricity to power industry in the Bankga Belitung Province and beyond, creating a powerful engine to drive further job creation.
“PT Thorcon Power Indonesia submitted their PET and SMET applications to us for approval in January this year,” said Mr. Wiryono, Director of Nuclear Fuel and Reactor Licensing, BAPETEN. “Over the subsequent months, we followed our protocols to review their submissions and to inform TPI about elements which required revision. TPI thoroughly addressed these elements, and we are pleased to formally grant the approvals they sought.”
“We’ll be working closely with the local community and governor as we work towards the site license and design approval,” says Dhita Ashari, COO, Thorcon Power Indonesia. “It is now widely understood that nuclear power is one of the safest forms of electricity generation, but we’re keen to ensure local communities understand the inherent safety of Thorcon’s unique design.”
“Our MSR technology operates at low pressure with liquid fuel. These two factors enable our inherent safety. We’re safe thanks to the laws of physics. In contrast, traditional nuclear safety relies heavily on operators,” says Matt Wilkinson, CEO, Thorcon International.
Wilkinson praised Indonesia’s strong nuclear leadership and expressed hope for continued collaboration with BAPETEN, local authorities, and communities to advance Thorcon’s cost-competitive, scalable nuclear project toward construction and operation.
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