By Nova Farida
PT ThorCon Power Indonesia, a subsidiary of ThorCon International Pte. Ltd., aims to operate nuclear power plants (NPPs) with a total capacity of 4 GW by 2035. To realize this plan, the company is evaluating suitable locations for the plants, including Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Batam.
Currently, ThorCon is focusing on its first nuclear project using liquid thorium fuel, to be constructed on Kelasa Island, Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province. The plant, with a capacity of 500 MW, is expected to begin operations in 2030.
“To achieve 4 GW, we plan to build eight nuclear units, each with a 500 MW capacity. So far, we are evaluating several other locations in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Batam. However, we can’t share further details yet,” said Bob S. Effendi, Chief Operating Officer of ThorCon Power Indonesia, to Petromindo.com recently.
He explained that further studies for additional locations will commence after reaching a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with PT PLN (Persero) for the first nuclear plant. The eight units will be constructed using the same method: assembling the plants atop shipyards.
“At present, we are focusing on the first unit, but we are also preparing for future developments. We will move forward to other locations after securing the PPA for the first unit,” Bob said.
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The construction of the first unit’s shipyard is scheduled to begin in late 2026 in South Korea by Daewoo Shipyard & Marine Engineering (DSME). By Q3 2027, the nuclear plant installation will commence, followed by the readiness of liquid thorium fuel in Q1 2028. Commissioning is expected in Q2 2029, with commercial operations targeted for Q2 2030.
The project’s investment value has been revised to Rp 13 trillion from an earlier estimate of Rp 17 trillion. The reduction is partly due to a deferment in funding for building a non-fission test platform (NTP) and reactor manufacturing facilities in Indonesia. ThorCon had initially partnered with PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) to develop and produce components for the Thorium Molten Salt Reactor 500 MW (TMSR500).
“The investment value has decreased because we postponed building the NTP facility and manufacturing the reactor and its components locally. For now, the NTP requirements and reactor production will be handled in South Korea alongside the shipyard construction by DSME. However, ThorCon remains committed to increasing the share of local content by encouraging state-owned enterprises (BUMN) to supply compatible components or technology,” Bob stated.
He further elaborated that most of the investment will go towards developing the power plant and turbine components, while the reactor’s costs are relatively minor.
Despite facing regulatory and environmental challenges, ThorCon remains optimistic about advancing nuclear power plant projects in Indonesia, as outlined in the National Energy Policy (RUEN) and the new PLN Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL).
“We are waiting for regulatory approval. Once it’s sanctioned, government institutions will feel more confident. ThorCon continues to demonstrate its commitment as the only nuclear power company to have submitted detailed plans to the Indonesian government,” Bob concluded.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak
