1 week ago
31
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Policy Strategist of Cerah Indonesia Foundation, Sartika Nur Shalati, stated that calling nuclear energy renewable is still a subject of debate, especially when it is claimed to be the cleanest energy.
"There are at least two reasons why nuclear power plants (NPP) cannot yet be considered renewable energy," Sartika told Tempo on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
First, according to Sartika, uranium and thorium, which are used as fuel in nuclear power plants, are limited natural metal resources and need to be mined. This is different from solar, wind, and hydro energy, which are abundant as they come directly from nature.
The second reason is that the process of producing nuclear energy is not completely free of emissions. Emissions mainly come from mining, processing, and transporting heavy equipment. Although the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated by NPPs are less than those from fossil fuels, they are still more than those from other renewable energy sources.
According to Sartika, NPPs can produce emissions of around 117 grams per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is 3 to 29 times higher than other renewable energy sources.
Citing 2021 data from Weber, she said that solar PV panels produce 33 grams/kWh; onshore wind 9 grams/kWh; offshore wind 7 grams/kWh; and hydroelectric power plants produce 4 grams/kWh.
Sartika's opinion is in response to President Prabowo Subianto's claim that nuclear power is not only for weapons but can also be the cleanest renewable energy. Prabowo's statement was made during the Democratic Party Congress on Wednesday, February 26, and a video of it was uploaded to the party's YouTube channel.
Prabowo highlighted President Soekarno's efforts in establishing a special agency to manage atomic energy, even when the government was unstable.
Sartika assessed that the claim of being the 'cleanest' is not accurate for nuclear energy because its fuel is still obtained through mining. The use of nuclear energy also has the potential to produce dangerous radioactive waste that can harm humans and the environment.
The 2016 report, The Financial Costs of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster: A Review of the Literature, stated that the Chernobyl incident exposed 10 million people to radiation. The losses from the incident reached Rp 10.5 quadrillion in the 30 years after the incident, not including the increased risk of cancer and other health problems.
In Indonesia, the operation and management of nuclear radioactive waste are controlled by the central government. Based on Law No. 10 of 1997, which was also changed in the Job Creation Law, the state is responsible for managing nuclear waste through implementing agencies and supervisory bodies.
"The cost of storing this waste is very high and could harm the country," Sartika added.
A 2024 study by Caitlin Cranmer estimated that permanent storage of nuclear waste requires costs of Rp2.2 billion to Rp15 billion per metric ton of heavy metal (MTHM), depending on the type of rock used. Information from TRW Environmental Safety Systems Inc. also estimated that the construction costs of waste storage facilities at reactor sites could reach US$14 million per location.
When broken down, the annual monitoring costs while the reactor is operating are estimated to reach US$1 million and could reach US$5.6-12.7 million after the NPP stops operating. If totaled, the waste storage costs could reach Rp1.3 trillion per location.
Editor's Choice: Kadin Claims Three Countries Eyeing to Build Nuclear Power Plants in Indonesia
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Trump Says He Sent Letter to Iran Leader to Negotiate Nuclear Deal
4 jam lalu
U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran.
Today's Top 3 News: Palace Reveals Prabowo's Dialogue with Business Tycoons, Including Danantara Topics
1 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today, March 7, 2025.
Keeping Our Soldiers in the Barracks
1 hari lalu
Hundreds of active military officers are being trained to run SOEs and region-owned enterprises. Soldiers are meant for wars, not business.
Prabowo Holds Talks with Business Magnates on Danantara and Free Nutritious Meals
1 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto called Aguan and several Indonesian tycoons to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta to discuss Danantara and free nutritious meals.
Palace Reveals Prabowo's Dialogue with Business Tycoons, Including Danantara Topics
1 hari lalu
Among the eight business figures who met with Prabowo today are Sugianto Kusuma alias Aguan, Garibaldi or Boy Thohir, and Tomy Winata.
TNI Commander Allegedly Promotes Teddy Indra Wijaya Without Standard Procedure
1 hari lalu
Head of TNI Information Center, Major General Hariyanto, and Major Teddy Indra Wijaya have not yet responded to Tempo's request for confirmation.
PAN Affirms Support for Prabowo's Permanent Coalition, Emphasizing 'Brotherhood'
1 hari lalu
PAN stated that the relationship between the party and Prabowo has been established for 15 years, so there is no doubt about their commitment.
House Speaker Stresses Govt Action As Second "Dark Indonesia" Rally Looms
2 hari lalu
Deputy House Speaker claimed that he does not oppose the "Dark Indonesia" rally itself. He asserted that Prabowo's government is actively working.
Foreign Figures to Fill the Position of Danantara's Advisory Board
2 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo has ordered Danantara's structure to be filled with the best individuals, not based on connections.
Indonesia's Sugiono Meets Qatari Foreign Minister to Advance Bilateral Cooperation
2 hari lalu
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono met with the Qatari Foreign Minister to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation.
