Jakarta, INTI – PT PLN (Persero), Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company, is exploring a potential partnership for nuclear power plant (NPP) development with Rosatom, a Russian nuclear energy company. However, the plan is currently stalled due to the lack of formal approval from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Agreement Signed Long Ago, but Delayed Due to Informal Note
Zainal Arifin, Executive Vice President for Renewable Energy at PLN, revealed that the cooperation agreement with Rosatom was actually signed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) has given its approval, the partnership process remains on hold due to the absence of a formal green light from the Foreign Ministry.
"The issue lies with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so we’ve put the process on hold. The agreement was actually signed during COVID-19, but due to an informal note from the Foreign Ministry, it cannot proceed yet," Zainal said during the EESA Summit Indonesia 2025 last Tuesday.
According to him, the plan to collaborate with Rosatom predates the pandemic. While PLN is technically and legally ready, diplomatic hurdles have become the main obstacle to advancing the project.
Rosatom Seen as Technologically Advanced and Economically Efficient
Zainal stated that Rosatom is a strong potential partner, especially in the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) a type of compact nuclear reactor known for its flexibility and safety. He also noted that Rosatom outperforms its counterparts from the United States in this area.
"We’ve conducted internal evaluations. Rosatom is a very strong candidate, particularly in SMR technology. In this regard, they are ahead of the U.S.," he explained.
Furthermore, he assessed that the project’s cost structure is attractive. Economically, the nuclear project is expected to be competitive with baseload power plants and geothermal energy.
"The pricing is quite competitive compared to baseload and geothermal. It looks very promising," he added.
Government Targets NPP Operation by 2030–2032
Meanwhile, the Indonesian government, through Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, has set a target for the country’s first nuclear power plant to become operational between 2030 and 2032. To support this goal, the government is currently developing the necessary regulatory framework to ensure smooth implementation of the NPP.
PLN’s efforts to forge a partnership with Rosatom are part of a broader long-term strategy to strengthen national energy security, especially in light of the energy transition and the gradual decline in fossil fuel dependency.
Conclusion
While the strategic partnership between PLN and Rosatom holds significant promise in terms of both technology and economic viability, its progress remains stalled by unresolved diplomatic challenges. As the government pushes to accelerate the energy transition through NPP development, the success of this project will depend heavily on inter-ministerial coordination particularly the active involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in facilitating the legal framework for international cooperation. If these obstacles can be overcome, Indonesia could emerge as a new player in civilian nuclear technology in Southeast Asia.
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