Jakarta – The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry revealed on Friday that its plans to build 5,000-megawatt (MW) nuclear power plants in the country were still on.

The ministry's director for energy sources at the directorate general of new renewable energy and energy conservation, Maritje Hutapea, said the ministry had finalized a guidance book, dubbed the white book, for the development of 5,000-MW nuke power plants in the future.

"However, we're still waiting for the go-ahead from the President," she said. A number of investors had expressed their interest in investing in the project, including from Russia, she added.

Kalimantan and Bangka are among the target locations for the development of the power plants.

The government has previously stated that it may develop nuclear power plants as an alternative energy source to fulfill surging electricity demand from the country's 250 million people.

The plan, however, has faced endless battles from numerous environmental groups given the dangers associated with nuclear power. (koi/ika)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/06/12/ministry-go-ahead-with-nuke-power-plants.html