In early December, Rusatom International Network and PT PLN (Persero), Indonesia’s government-owned electric power company, held a joint seminar in Jakarta.
The main focus of the event was on benefits of nuclear energy. Speakers from Rosatom Group companies shared their experience in building and operating nuclear power plants and presented opportunities of the nuclear for domestic industries.
PT PLN (Persero) is Indonesia’s state-run electric company and the biggest player on the country’s electric energy market. The company operates 42 GW of total generating capacity and is expected to double it in the next ten years amidst growing demand for electricity.
“Being a source of clean electric energy for the country, nuclear stations are also a powerful driver of the national economy. A nuclear station project means new contracts for construction and engineering companies, as well as companies from other industries,” said Yegor Simonov, Director of Rosatom’s Regional Office for Southeast Asia.
Construction of a nuclear power plant creates about 70,000 new jobs and spurs R&D activity, thus making the national economy more innovation-driven. Mr. Simonov also noted that Rosatom strives to maximize involvement of local industries in nuclear construction projects in each country of its presence.
With support from PLN, local manufacturers and EPC contractors, Rosatom plans to study the possibilities of engaging local producers in nuclear construction projects in Indonesia.
“Hundreds of Indonesian companies could take part in a nuclear project. In our country, nuclear could create new jobs, bring innovative technologies and help us develop new competencies,” noted Mohammad Prayudianto, Director of PT PLN’s Engineering and Procurement Department.
Even though building a nuclear station is costly, the bulk of expenditures remains in the country either as revenues of local suppliers or taxes, and nuclear stations could, in the long run, ensure stable generation of power for Indonesia’s needs, Mr. Prayudianto added.
In April 2015, the National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia announced a Russian-Indonesian consortium as the winner of the bidding process to design a pilot multi-purpose high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. Along with two Indonesian companies (Rekayasa Engineering and Kogas Driyap Consultant), the consortium includes Rosatom’s subsidiary NUKEM Technologies GmbH. NUKEM will be assisted by other Rosatom Group companies (AtomStroyExport, OKBM Afrikantov, and Luch Research Institute and Production Association) having solid expertise in the reactor design and construction.
Rusatom International Network will be in charge of drafting tender documents and coordinating activities of Rosatom Group companies. The project aims to build a 10 MW high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. The scope of work to be done by the Russian-Indonesian consortium within the next eight months includes a feasibility study of the reactor concept design and preparation of basic design documents.
