Indonesia will only go ahead with plans to build a nuclear power plant on Java island if the public accepts the project, Research and Technology Minister Hatta Radjasa said Wednesday.

"The construction of a nuclear power plant should particularly take into very careful consideration its aspects of efficiency and safety. Also important would be the consent and acceptance by the general public," he was quoted as saying by state news agency Antara.

"Therefore, the construction of a nuclear plant would be a final option after power plants running on other types of fuel, such as coal, gas and water," he added.

The National Nuclear Power Agency (Batan) is planning to conduct a feasibility study into the project this year.

Under the current proposal, the Muria nuclear power plant would be built in Jepara regency, Central Java province, at a cost about $12 billion and be completed by 2012.

Environmentalists and non-government organizations have warned that it would be folly to build a nuclear power plant on Java because of Indonesia's poor enforcement of safety standards and because the island is susceptible to earthquakes.