The National Nuclear Power Agency has conceded defeat in its controversial attempts to construct a nuclear power plant on the Muria Peninsula in Central Java by 2016, saying opposition from locals has forced them to begin searching for another location.

"It will take two to three years to find another suitable location, Hudi Hastowo, head of the agency, also know as Batan, said in Jakarta on Friday. "So the execution of the plan will undergo a delay, we cannot yet have a nuclear power plant by 2016," he said.

He said that under Law No. 17/2007 on the state's Medium-Term Development Plan, a nuclear power plant must come on line between 2014 and 2019.

He said a number of provincial administrations in the country had offered their respective provinces but any final decision would require meticulous and painstaking studies.

Among the provincial administrations concerned were those of Bangka Belitung, Banten, Gorontalo and West, South and East Kalimantan. He indicated that Bangka Belitung appeared to be the most favorable location. (Antara/JG)