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View all search resultsJakarta’s nuclear push may test ties with Washington, Moscow
While exploring different options was par for the course in seeking potential partnerships, experts agree that careful consideration in package composition vis-à-vis Indonesia's needs and goals, including compliance with any existing deals, is key to realizing its nuclear energy ambitions.
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A 500-megawatt floating thorium-based nuclear plant, proposed by American energy company Thorcon International for deploying in Indonesia, appears in this undated illustration. (Handout/Thorcon International)
J
akarta is walking a diplomatic tightrope as it courts global rival powers to build Indonesia’s first nuclear power plant, raising questions over whether competing geopolitical interests could complicate its nuclear ambitions.
In its pursuit of a partnership with Russia, momentum is accelerating after a delegation from Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom met with President Prabowo Subianto on May 12 in Jakarta. Days later during the 14th Indonesia-Russia Joint Commission Meeting, the two countries agreed to deepen energy cooperation, including the development of small modular reactors (SMRs).
On June 18, Foreign Minister Sugiono green-lit the nuclear cooperation with Russia, including technology transfers and human resource development, which he said could help Indonesia achieve its energy self-sufficiency goals.
At the same time, however, Jakarta has also welcomed potential cooperation with the United States through the Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program, a civilian nuclear energy security initiative led by the US Department of State with the Japanese government as a contributing partner.
Beyond Russia and the US, the government has also held talks with China, Canada, Japan and South Korea on domestic deployment of nuclear power.
Toeing restrictions
Rohadi Awaludin, a senior researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said Jakarta’s push for nuclear cooperation with Moscow was part of a broader strategy.
