RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The government has reaffirmed that the development of nuclear technology in Indonesia is strictly intended for civilian purposes, supporting the energy, research, and healthcare sectors.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the government has not discussed developing nuclear technology beyond civilian needs. He emphasized that current efforts focus on promoting nuclear applications that directly benefit the public.

“Regarding nuclear issues, the focus remains on areas other than research, particularly for energy and healthcare purposes,” Minister Hadi told reporters at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, August 7, 2026.

He said one of the uses being studied is the construction of a nuclear power plant. The low‑emission technology is considered a potential option to strengthen national energy security.

“For example, could a nuclear power plant be built? Or could nuclear power be used for defense equipment and healthcare, especially medical devices?” he said.

Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Arif Satria, previously stated that Indonesia already has various strategic research facilities, including nuclear reactors, observatories, satellite ground stations, and high‑performance computing centers.

BRIN has also conducted studies on potential nuclear development sites with several ministries and institutions. According to him, several locations have received technical approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“Several locations have received technical clearance from the IAEA. The approval is processed through coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Environment Ministry, and state utility PLN, while BRIN provides the scientific assessments to help determine the most suitable sites,” Arif said.

He noted that the main challenge in developing nuclear energy lies in public acceptance. Therefore, the government needs to strengthen education on the peaceful use of nuclear power as a future energy option.

“The challenge is the social aspect, and better communication is needed. We must begin considering nuclear energy as an energy source option,” he said. (Misni Parjiati)