IAEA says three countries ready to build nuclear power plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) considers that three countries namely Indonesia, Jordan and Vietnam, respectively, are ready to develop nuclear energy for power generation, Indonesia’s Antara news agency reported Thursday.

Indonesian Ambassador to Austria I Gusti Agung Wesaka said that although Indonesia already meets all the preconditions to build a nuclear power plant, the nation still needs the public acceptance and a political decision.

“The IAEA’s support is additional political motivation for Indonesia to build a nuclear power plant,” he said.

Referring to the results of an IAEA study titled “Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review 2009″, he said that Bangka Belitung would not be able to make a move without a political decision from the central (government).

Bangka Belitung Governor Eko Maulana Ali said his province is ready to support the implementation of a nuclear power project by providing a suitable location either in Bangka Selatan or Bangka Barat.

He said Bangka Belitung needed enough electricity to improve its people’s welfare.

“We hope that the government will also build an electricity transmission system connecting Java with Sumatra and Bangka Belitung so that a nuclear power plant in Bangka Belitung could contribute to power supply nationally,” he said.

He called on the Bangka Belitung people to support the plan to build a nuclear power plant in the province.

The National Nuclear Power Agency (BATAN) has surveyed 70 locations across the country in its search for suitable nuclear power plant sites.

It eventually shortlisted 14 locations, and from this number it had selected the best four which included Ujung Bumi (Jepara), Banten, and Bangka Belitung.

IAEA Director General Yukia Amano was very enthusiastic in describing Indonesia’s readiness to build a nuclear power plant and hoped to visit Jakarta in the near future.

Meanwhile, the report, which focused on the preparedness of developing counties to build nuclear power plants, said that Vietnam has started by establishing cooperation to build a nuclear power plant with Russia.

Tags: Vietnam energy, Vietnam nuclear power project