Nuclear Powered Electric Generator In Jepara

The nuclear issue seems to be concreting itself in Indonesia now with a planned nuclear powered generator being built in the north of Central Java.

Tempo magazine reports that the locations have been selected on the Muria Peninsula not far from Jepara, and are to be the locations of Indonesia's Nuclear Powered Electric Generator. The three are Ujung Lemah Abang, Ujung Latu and Ujung Greng-grengan.

Ujung Lemah Abang will be the site of the first from four reactors to be built. The technical construction and the types of reactor to be chosen are still awaiting the decision of the Department of Energy & Mineral Resources.

Dedy Miharja, Head of Central Promotion and Dissemination of Nuclear Science & Technology at the National Atomic Energy Agency said the location selection is already final based on the advisability of the study and the sites of the three locations. The study included geographic condition analysis, geology, the ecosystem, water, earthquake conditions and the existence of faults or fractures at the chosen locations. The locations are presumed to be ideal because they are not inhabited by many people since they are coconut plantations.

What I cannot understand is why they would build a series of nuclear reactors on such a volatile island. Can you imagine building one at the foot of Besakih. Well, it is the same as far a volatility is concerned even though Besakih has been dormant just like Gunung Muria.

I was surprised to read that the advisability study and the sites determination were carried out by New Jack Corporation from Japan between 1991 and 1996. I knew they were up to something during that period because I was in Yogyakarta at that time.

The sites and advisability study have been verified by PT Rekayasa Industri, an enterprise of the Department of Industry in cooperation with Surgnt & Loundry from Australia.