UNS — PT ThorCon Power Indonesia Chief Operating Officer (COO), Bob S. Effendi, states that the partnership with Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, which was established almost 1 (one) year ago, has succeeded in delivering an academic study manuscript revealing new facts on nuclear power. Meanwhile, he also encouraged UNS to establish a Nuclear Physics Engineering Study Program (Prodi) and a Nuclear Power Communication specialization as an opportunity to move forward from this collaboration.
“Next year, after the ‘green light’ from the government is bestowed in a Presidential Regulation (Perpres), nuclear power will be a national priority project. Of course, this project will require thousands of workers, and most are experts in nuclear engineering. Therefore, we encourage UNS to establish a Nuclear Physics Engineering Study Program with this opportunity in mind,” said Bob on the sidelines of the National Seminar discussing ‘Nuclear as a Solution for Sustainable Energy to Pursue a Prosperous and Low Carbon Indonesia in 2050,’ Wednesday (16/3/2022).
Bob added that there is an urgency for the government to fulfilling environmentally friendly and cheap electricity energy needs, which does not require extensive allocation from the State Budget. The only solution for this situation is nuclear power. Because of this situation, Bob believes the government will approve the construction of the proposed Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN). “This is power plan is supported by the results presented in the academic studies manuscript conducted by UNS, that has been proven, verified, and validated. That nuclear is an environmentally friendly power plant,” Bob continued.
On the other hand, the data and facts show that nuclear power is the safest power plant generation based on death count. In addition, there is already a nuclear regulator supervisor, namely the Nuclear Power Supervisory Agency (Bapeten). Furthermore, Indonesia has more than 50 years of experience in operating nuclear reactors. The nuclear reactors in question are Triga Mark Reactor located in Bandung, Kartini Reactor in Yogyakarta, and Siwabessy Reactor in Serpong. “There are currently thousands of nuclear experts from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Nuclear Technology Institute (STTN), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). Hopefully, there will be graduates from UNS; thus, we can fulfill the needs for competent Human Resources (HR). Hence, there is no need to doubt about building a nuclear power plant in Indonesia,” added Bob.
Then, to achieve the Zero Emission target by 2050, nuclear power is an option that must be considered. “What the government has been doing is considering various methods available to achieve the carbon-free emissions, less expensive energy, avoiding electricity tariffs increase, and a stable electricity grid. Therefore, considering the pressing needs, the solution is only on nuclear power,” Bob concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
