BRIN Presents Progress on Revitalizing Three Nuclear Research Reactors at FNCA

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) presented an update on the revitalization of its three national nuclear research reactor facilities before delegates from Asian countries at the 2026 Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA), under the Research Reactor Utilization (RRU) project, with Indonesia serving as host. The Head of BRIN's Nuclear Beam Technology Analysis Research Center, Abu Khalid Rivai, stated that Indonesia currently operates three research reactor facilities actively, making the forum a moment to demonstrate the country's nuclear infrastructure readiness to regional partners.

In an official statement received on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, The three facilities are the G.A. Siwabessy Multipurpose Reactor (GASB) in Serpong, the TRIGA 2000 Reactor in Bandung, and the TRIGA Kartini Reactor in Yogyakarta. Among the three, BRIN has designated the GA Siwabessy reactor as its flagship program, given its status as the largest research reactor in Indonesia and its role as the national radioisotope production facility.

The revitalization of the GA Siwabessy reactor is aimed at two main goals, namely extending its operational lifespan and increasing its production capacity. BRIN is targeting optimal operation of the reactor in line with safety, security, and safeguards (3S) standards, with a target increase in annual operating hours reaching up to 4,000 hours per year.

Beyond operational aspects, this revitalization effort is also directed at strengthening national medical self reliance through increased radioisotope production for healthcare needs. "Our main goal is to increase the radioactivity of radioisotopes such as iodine, molybdenum, and technetium by up to 50 percent. We are also targeting mastery of six new reactor based radiopharmaceuticals, namely lutetium, samarium, scandium, phosphorus, gold, and holmium," Abu revealed.

Meanwhile, for the other two reactors, TRIGA 2000 in Bandung and TRIGA Kartini in Yogyakarta, BRIN is taking a different approach compared to GA Siwabessy. Rather than pursuing extensive revitalization, BRIN is directing its strategy toward a utilization enhancement program for the existing reactors, including the installation of neutron imaging instruments.

This step takes into account the strategic locations of both reactors, situated close to leading universities such as the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and the Indonesian Nuclear Polytechnic.

BRIN views this geographic proximity as an opportunity to broaden the impact of research reactor utilization beyond scientific purposes alone. "With this increased utilization, these facilities are intended not only for scientific research, but also for educational purposes, as well as to support the needs of industry and government stakeholders, particularly in the surrounding region," Abu said.