The modular design will allow the project operator to dismantle and replace reactors every eight years, which will provide additional safety. The operator plans to bring 500 MW of capacity into operation before 2032. The first NPP in Indonesia’s history could usher in a series of major nuclear construction projects: the Indonesian government plans to launch 54 GW of NPPs nationwide by 2060, which is comparable to the current installed capacity of Indonesian coal- and gas-fired power plants (72 GW) that account for nearly 80% of the domestic power output.
Power demand in Indonesia grew by more than 90% from 2010 to 2023, reaching 351 terawatt hours (TWh), which is commensurate with Turkey’s annual power consumption. This largely explains why Indonesia has been among the world leaders in coal-fired power generation over the recent years. According to Global Energy Monitor, the capacity of coal-fired TPPs launched in Indonesia between 2020 and 2024 totals 20.2 GW, almost as much as in India (22.1 GW). However, this has caused a significant increase in emissions: the Energy Institute reports that Indonesia’s greenhouse gas emissions rose by an average of 4.8% per year between 2013 and 2023, much faster than in the rest of South and East Asia (2% per year).
As a result, there is a growing demand for clean energy solutions in Indonesia. According to IRENA, a total of 4.7 GW of renewables came on stream in the country between 2014 and 2023, with the volume of low-carbon generation rising from 34 TWh to 65 TWh, respectively.
