Sat, Mar19, 2011 14:59:57
Jakarta, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is not ready to build nuclear power plants due to human resources issues and public opposition, the Jakarta Post quoted a minister as saying on Saturday.
Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said that nuclear power plants should be the last resort since the country still had several energy option.
Gusti's statement comes as the National Atomic Energy Agency ( BATAN) insists on going ahead with its nuclear plant program despite mounting opposition.
"There's no need to hurry to build a nuclear power plant except if we start running out of energy resources," he told the daily on Friday.
He said that Indonesia could explore cleaner energy options such as geothermal, wind or water to power electricity plants.
Aside from problems with the supply of raw materials, the government needs to ensure the public about the security aspect following Japan's ongoing nuclear crisis, he said.
"It is not easy to ensure a public that is skeptical about nuclear reactors in Indonesia," he added.
Under the 2009 Environmental Law, Gusti's office is responsible for issuing environmental impact analysis documents for strategic businesses, including for nuclear power plants.
The nuclear crisis in Japan, triggered by the 9.0 Richter scale- earthquake, has forced the Japanese government to evacuate an area up to 30 km from the plant site.
Like Japan, Indonesia is located within the ring of fire that is prone to earthquakes.
BATAN Head Hudi Hastowi has insisted that the office would go ahead with the plan since it had been mandated by law. Editor: Zhang Xiang
Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said that nuclear power plants should be the last resort since the country still had several energy option.
Gusti's statement comes as the National Atomic Energy Agency ( BATAN) insists on going ahead with its nuclear plant program despite mounting opposition.
"There's no need to hurry to build a nuclear power plant except if we start running out of energy resources," he told the daily on Friday.
He said that Indonesia could explore cleaner energy options such as geothermal, wind or water to power electricity plants.
Aside from problems with the supply of raw materials, the government needs to ensure the public about the security aspect following Japan's ongoing nuclear crisis, he said.
"It is not easy to ensure a public that is skeptical about nuclear reactors in Indonesia," he added.
Under the 2009 Environmental Law, Gusti's office is responsible for issuing environmental impact analysis documents for strategic businesses, including for nuclear power plants.
The nuclear crisis in Japan, triggered by the 9.0 Richter scale- earthquake, has forced the Japanese government to evacuate an area up to 30 km from the plant site.
Like Japan, Indonesia is located within the ring of fire that is prone to earthquakes.
BATAN Head Hudi Hastowi has insisted that the office would go ahead with the plan since it had been mandated by law. Editor: Zhang Xiang
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