Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia has identified an estimated 24,000 tons of uranium and thorium reserves in Melawi Regency, West Kalimantan, raw materials that could potentially be used to fuel nuclear power plants in the future.
The finding was disclosed by state-owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) in its newly released Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) for 2025–2034, which outlines the nation’s long-term energy development strategy.
According to the RUPTL document, West Kalimantan is rich in energy resources, ranging from hydropower and biomass to coal and nuclear fuel.
Data from the Geological Atlas of West Kalimantan’s Mineral and Energy Resources notes that Melawi alone contains approximately 24,112 tons of uranium, which could potentially serve as a primary fuel source for nuclear power plants (PLTN).
Despite the sizeable reserves, PLN clarified that nuclear power utilization remains contingent on government policy and a comprehensive feasibility study.
“The use of nuclear as a primary energy source still awaits policy direction and feasibility support from the government,” PLN stated in the RUPTL report.
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Nuclear energy is one of the options being explored to provide baseload power while achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions, in line with national decarbonization goals. PLN has set a tentative commercial operation date for a nuclear power plants by 2032.
However, the RUPTL also underscores several prerequisites before development can proceed. These include a secure supply chain for nuclear fuel, proper radioactive waste management, rigorous safety and security standards, as well as compliance with domestic regulations and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommendations.
Indonesia’s National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN), now integrated under BRIN, has already conducted site surveys and preliminary studies at several locations. These assessments took into account seismic activity, peak ground acceleration (PGA), volcano hazards, and surface fault lines.
In total, 28 potential sites across the country have been identified for nuclear plant development. If fully realized, these locations could support up to 70 gigawatts of nuclear capacity.
(Raidi/Agung)
