Indonesia and Russia Explore Oil and Nuclear Power Cooperation
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id – Indonesia and Russia have resumed discussions to deepen bilateral economic ties through cooperation in oil exploration and nuclear energy development. The two countries revived the initiative during the 13th Joint Commission Meeting in Jakarta, aimed at boosting long-standing trade relations and opening new investment opportunities.
The talks, initially launched in 2018 but disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, have now regained momentum. Deputy for International Economic Cooperation at Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Edi Prio Pambudi, confirmed that both countries are revisiting strategic projects that had been stalled. “It started in 2018, then halted due to the pandemic. Now we are continuing the process,” he said during a media briefing at the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Edi added that beyond trade, the dialogue also covers investment and technology transfer. He emphasized Indonesia's openness to Russian investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), stating, “We are welcoming all interested parties. In principle, SEZs are open to everyone.”
Indonesia has not yet moved forward with plans to import crude oil from Russia. The idea remains in early discussions without any formal agreements.
In a separate interview, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Dadan Kusdiana noted that oil import discussions are still in the exploratory stage. “This is not yet a binding agreement or a contract. It's still a government-to-government dialogue,” he explained.
President Prabowo Subianto receives Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Photo: Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau/Muchlis Jr.
Dadan also addressed the suspended joint refinery project between Russian oil giant Rosneft and Pertamina International Refinery in Tuban, East Java. The delay was attributed to U.S. sanctions that block technology transfers to Russian entities, a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Turning to renewable energy, Indonesia and Russia have opened talks on potential collaboration in developing new and renewable energy sources, particularly nuclear power. “Their focus is electricity, especially nuclear,” said Dadan.
He clarified that any investment in nuclear power plants in Indonesia, known locally as PLTN, would require a long-term roadmap. “Many factors must be considered comprehensively, including regulatory aspects,” he added.