Indonesia Requests Assistance to Advance Its First Nuclear Power Plant

RRI.CO.ID, Vienna - The Head of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Arif Satria, expressed appreciation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its continued support of Indonesia's nuclear energy program. Arif conveyed this appreciation during a bilateral meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on the sidelines of the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria.

In an official statement received on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Arif also praised the implementation of several IAEA flagship programs in Indonesia, including NUTEC Plastics, Atoms4Food, Atoms for Net Zero, and ATLAS. These programs, he said, have delivered real benefits not only for Indonesia but also for other IAEA member states.

According to him, the Indonesian government is currently strengthening various aspects of its national nuclear energy program, including preparations to build the country's first nuclear power plant. This effort forms part of Indonesia's commitment to supporting a clean energy transition and achieving its Net Zero Emission (NZE) target. "The Indonesian government is currently strengthening the implementation of its nuclear energy program to build Indonesia's first nuclear power plant as part of its commitment to a clean energy transition and achieving Net Zero Emission," Arif said.

He also explained that several strategic stages must be prepared comprehensively so the power plant project can proceed in line with international standards. These stages include strengthening infrastructure, conducting feasibility studies for candidate sites, building human resource capacity, selecting technology, and planning procurement.

In line with these needs, Indonesia formally requested IAEA assistance to support the implementation of its national nuclear energy program. The assistance sought includes the deployment of IAEA expert missions across technical departments to provide substantive input to national stakeholders.

Indonesia also requested that the IAEA carry out a follow up mission under the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) in 2027 to strengthen the readiness of its nuclear energy infrastructure. "Indonesia hopes for IAEA support in strengthening national human resource capacity, particularly in mastering advanced nuclear reactor technology, both Small Modular Reactors and large scale nuclear reactors," Arif added.

Responding to the request, Grossi said the IAEA was committed to prioritizing the deployment of missions and technical assistance to Indonesia. The agency also expressed readiness to provide technically neutral input on commercial nuclear reactor technologies and offered support through the IAEA SMR platform to strengthen the scientific, operational, and safety aspects of nuclear energy development.

Grossi affirmed that the IAEA would accompany Indonesia through every stage, noting that Indonesia has the potential to become a reference point for other countries in the region.

Beyond the energy sector, the IAEA also expressed readiness to deepen cooperation with Indonesia's Ministry of Health through the Rays of Hope program, aimed at supporting capacity building in radiation oncology. The agency further invited Indonesian practitioners to take part in scientific forums on the development of radiation oncology in developing countries.

The bilateral meeting underscored the commitment of Indonesia and the IAEA to continue strengthening cooperation in the safe, peaceful, and responsible use of nuclear science and technology. Arif Satria was accompanied at the meeting by Indonesia's Ambassador to Austria, who also serves as Indonesia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, along with delegations from BRIN, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN), and state electricity company PT PLN.