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Comment: The first nuclear power plant in RI
July 1, p
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em>July 1, p. 7: When it comes to the debate of Indonesia’s capability in harnessing nuclear power full civil uses, it is important to note the country has more than enough experience in developing large-scale power plants, from the planning stage, right through to the construction and operation of the plants.
Your comments:
I have to disagree with writer opinions on having the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) as a feasible alternative to answer the ongoing scarcity of electrical sources in Indonesia.
First of all (with all do respect, please ignore first your cost-benefits analysis since I also come from a similar background as the writer), there is a more underlying issue here than just debating electricity scarcity, our national mentality (i.e. discipline, corruption, etc).
How could we expect a better design and it be proven safe if historically Indonesia fails over again due to mismanagement, and ultimately poor people in this country pay the cost (take for example: Lapindo, for those of you who still think it is natural disaster I encourage you to not joint the forum!).
We can imagine the scale of destruction once the NPP fails to operate as it should be then we look to a second generation of Chernobyl (God forbid).
Second, let us not turn our attention to something more subtle than our daily problem: The conversion of oil to natural gas for commercial needs. It’s been an ongoing debate (until now!) that government doesn’t have a clue who is responsible Pertamina, ESDM or gas tube vendor?
While most people are skeptical for the program, top ranks analyst in this country are still debating and posting article just to leverage their carrier (sorry to say).
All and all, the NPP is not just feasible but a misleading concept for Indonesia’s solution in electricity.
Aulia Arif Hidayat
Jakarta
“It must follow the ordinary business procedures.” That’s not actually an encouraging suggestion.
Yes, Indonesia is potentially capable of such a venture... but it is also a country with an appalling maintenance record. Roads, drains, basic infrastructure.
Simple routine maintenance of nuclear facilities is essential to avoid a catastrophic result. The authors rosy claim of satisfactory operation in other countries faied to mention the frequent small-medium sized leaks that are only heard about years later.
Where does the waste go?
Who pays for an accident?
You only need to look at the “Bakrie Mud Volcano” to see where “the ordinary business procedures” lead.
John
Makassar
