Jakarta — Facing soaring electricity demand and mounting pressure to reduce emissions, Indonesia is turning to nuclear power in a bid to balance energy security with environmental goals. But with less than a decade before its first nuclear plant is slated to come online in 2032, the ambitious plan is running up against a series of formidable challenges.
The Indonesian government has announced plans to begin construction of its first commercial nuclear power facility by 2030, with grid connection targeted for 2032. The plant, located on Gelasa Island in Bangka Belitung Province, will be built by U.S.-based ThorCon using a thorium-fueled molten salt reactor, with an initial capacity of 500 megawatts. ThorCon intends to source thorium—extracted as a by-product of local tin mining—and to fabricate the modular reactor units in shipyards before transporting them to offshore sites for installation.
For Indonesia, this marks a long-delayed entry into nuclear power. The country built its first experimental reactor in 1965 and currently operates three research facilities, but has never pursued nuclear energy for commercial use. Now, spurred by twin goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and sustaining average annual GDP growth of 8%, the government has committed to integrating nuclear power into its long-term energy strategy. By 2060, officials aim to develop between 45 and 54 gigawatts of nuclear generating capacity.
Still, turning these ambitions into reality won’t be easy.
Chief among the concerns are seismic risks. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is one of the most earthquake- and volcano-prone countries in the world. While the government has pledged to prioritize low-risk zones and identified 29 potential sites—mostly in the central and eastern regions beyond Java—experts warn that any major natural disaster could seriously undermine public confidence.
Waste disposal and regulatory oversight are also key vulnerabilities. Indonesia currently lacks a formal system for managing nuclear waste, and its legal framework, regulatory capacity, technical expertise, and emergency response mechanisms remain underdeveloped. The national nuclear regulatory agency has yet to approve any construction permits, although ThorCon has submitted a preliminary proposal.
Financially, while Jakarta has not disclosed specific budget allocations, several countries and firms—including China, Russia, the U.S., and South Korea—have expressed interest in investing. ThorCon has pledged to fully fund the pilot project, estimated at 17 trillion rupiah (about $1.05 billion), covering research, imported equipment, and infrastructure development.
Even so, cost remains a significant hurdle. Nuclear projects are notoriously capital-intensive and slow to generate returns. Environmental groups argue that Indonesia’s vast renewable energy potential remains underutilized. With solar and wind installations still at minimal levels, critics question whether pouring billions into a technology with high risk and public resistance is the most cost-effective path forward.
Public opinion, too, remains divided. Memories of the Fukushima disaster linger, and longstanding concerns over corruption, weak oversight, and lack of transparency continue to erode trust. As a result, nuclear power has yet to win broad grassroots support.
Nonetheless, the government appears resolute. The energy minister has stated that nuclear power will be a critical component of Indonesia’s green transition, and President-elect Prabowo has positioned it at the center of his “energy independence” strategy.
Indonesia is not alone in reconsidering nuclear energy. From Belgium to Vietnam, countries around the world are reevaluating its role in achieving low-carbon development. Whether Indonesia can follow through on its nuclear ambitions may ultimately depend on its ability to strike a careful balance between technological capability, regulatory readiness, and public consensus.