Indonesia Moves Closer to Nuclear Power as Experts and Officials Align

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Energy experts said on Sunday, Feb 15, 2026 in Jakarta that Indonesia is capable of building nuclear power plants comparable to developed nations as the government advances regulatory and strategic preparations to strengthen energy security and accelerate the clean energy transition. They argued that Small Modular Reactors offer a practical solution for an archipelagic country while officials confirmed groundwork has been underway since 2025.

Muhammad Bachtiar Nappu of Universitas Hasanuddin said on Sunday, Feb 15, 2026 that modular nuclear plants in the form of SMRs represent long term energy security for Indonesia.

"Modular nuclear power plants in the form of SMRs are truly energy security for the future. Nuclear power is the answer, but in a small scale form," he said.

He said Indonesia has uranium and thorium resources spread across Bangka Belitung, Kalimantan, and Mamuju, providing basic raw materials for nuclear development. He added that SMRs are more suitable than conventional reactors that typically require at least 1,000 megawatts of capacity.

"It is better to build the small ones rather than conventional nuclear power plants. Conventional plants require a minimum capacity of 1,000 MW. But small ones, for example, can be 50 MW," Bachtiar said.

Andi Jumardi of Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Minyak dan Gas Bumi Balikpapan said on Sunday, Feb 15, 2026 that nuclear energy is economically competitive for a country with a large population.

"For a country with a large population like Indonesia, the cost is relatively cheaper compared to fossil energy," he said.

He said domestic human resources are technically competent and that modern reactor systems have significantly improved safety standards.

"Based on research I have conducted, in terms of human resources we are highly competent to develop nuclear energy. We also have uranium reserves in West Kalimantan. The Fukushima case was a force majeure event caused by an extraordinary natural disaster, and since then technology has continued to develop to anticipate similar risks in the future," Andi said.

Ary Bachtiar Krishna Putra of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember said on Sunday, Feb 15, 2026 that nuclear plants offer superior energy density and stable output.

"Nuclear power plants excel in terms of energy density. With a very small amount of fuel, we can generate a large and stable amount of electricity," he said.

"In terms of the process, nuclear energy is clean. There are no carbon emissions. It only produces heat to turn the turbine," Ary added.

He said the main challenges lie in site selection, infrastructure readiness, and integration with industrial zones rather than in the technology itself.

Regulatory and Strategic Steps Since 2025

Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New and Renewable Energy at the Energy Ministry, said the government had identified Sumatra and Kalimantan grids as priority locations for nuclear deployment.

"In Kalimantan, the potential is to supply downstream industrial smelters, and we also see potential in Sumatra, particularly in areas bordering Singapore," she said at the Green Energy Summit 2025 on Tuesday, Sept 23, 2025 in Jakarta.

She said a draft presidential regulation on nuclear development had been submitted to President Prabowo Subianto and that a Nuclear Energy Program Implementation Organization was being prepared.

"It has already been submitted to the President, and we are just waiting for feedback. That will be the proof that we are going nuclear," Eniya said.

She added that the government was assessing financing models including government to government schemes and potential cooperation with private investors.

Separately, Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto said nuclear power development constitutes a strategic national interest during the Executive Meeting and BAPETEN Awards 2025.

"This strategic forum is not merely a ceremonial meeting, but a space for consolidation and policy communication among national stakeholders to formulate the direction of the nation’s future energy development," he said on Monday, Oct 27, 2025 in Jakarta.

He stressed that nuclear projects must adhere to physical security, technical safety, cyber security, and non proliferation principles.

"We need a collective commitment to accelerate the formation of a strong and sustainable national nuclear ecosystem, covering regulatory aspects, institutional readiness, development of nuclear human resources, strengthening international cooperation, and national emergency preparedness," Donny said.

Taken together, academic endorsements in February 2026 and regulatory groundwork laid throughout 2025 indicate that Indonesia’s nuclear agenda is moving from discourse to structured execution.