The nuclear industry has been trying hard to convince the world that a Chernobyl-type disaster could not happen again. Nuclear proponents within the Indonesian Government have repeatedly stated that the risks associated with nuclear energy would be negligible. However, the history of nuclear technology shows that accidents do occur, and most of them are due to human error. In addition, Indonesia has substantial geological hazards that make a compelling arguement against nuclear power. Earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 8.0 on the Richterscale occur frequently in the Indonesian region

Civil nuclear technology has failed worldwide. The dream of unlimited clean and cheap energy from nuclear power has remained just that. Indonesia should learn from the mistakes made by many industrialised countries and adopt a more energy efficient development process. Economically, nuclear energy does not compare favourably with its competitors, such as coal, geothermal and natural gas. Indonesia has vast amounts of non-nuclear fossil and renewable energy resources. The advantages in using renewable energy systems are the modest technical support needed, and the minimal risk posed to the population and the environment. A hightech, capital intensive nuclear industry, on the other hand, will expose millions of Indonesians to the very real danger of radioactive contamination.

Indonesia stands at the crossroads. The outcome of the nuclear debate will have far reaching consequences for the future of Indonesian society. Once the nuclear programme has been set in motion, Indonesia will be totally committed to follow the path of a dangerous and capital intensive energy generation system, mainly feeding the industrial sector. The major beneficiaries from such an ambitious scheme will be Indonesia’s industry and the elite.

The cost of nuclear energy generation will rise steadily due to the expenses of decommissioning and the long term storage of radioactive waste. Rather than coming of age, Indonesians will find themselves increasingly dependent, financially and technologically, on the industrialised world. It is possible that, by following the dream of becoming a high-tech nation - by relying on nuclear power - in a few decades, Indonesians might find themselves in a position where they are forced to rely on an expensive and possibly outdated technology; one that has been superseded by more efficient and cost effective alternatives that do not pose a threat to the environment for generations to come.

The possible regional ramifications associated with Indonesia’s nuclear programme are threefold. First, there is a distinct possibility of radioactive contamination of Indonesia’s neighbours in the event of an accident. The nuclear disaster at Chernobyl has shown the world that radioactive contamination does not respect national borders. Second, the mining and transportation of uranium, and most importantly, the storing of the radioactive waste, will be of concern to the region. Finally, the potential for Indonesia to become a nuclear power in military terms will have a dramatic effect on the region. Indonesia’s neighbours, such as Australia would be forced to rethink their strategic position. This could lead to an escalation of nuclear proliferation. Any nation with civil nuclear energy has the potential to become a military nuclear power in a very short time.

Many Indonesians are aware of the environmental risks associated with nuclear energy, as well as the enormous investment nuclear installations require. Although the debate is widespread, the decision whether to choose nuclear or not remains firmly in the hands of Indonesia’s elite. The New Order regime has shown in the past that it favours capital intensive institutional growth with a centralised power system, which is suited to nuclear energy, rather than a minimum energy economy, reliant on soft or light technologies that are sustainable and would guarantee a degree of independence and freedom of choice to the Indonesian people. The nuclear debate has to be placed in the wider context of socio-political relations within Indonesia. Besides the more obvious environmental and economic impacts nuclear energy will have on Indonesia and its people, the nuclear issue raises questions of equity. Critics of the scheme are not only concerned with safety aspects and the economics of nuclear technology, but also seek to participate in the decision making processes that will impact on their lives as well as on future generations.

Source: http://wwwarc.murdoch.edu.au/wp/wp65.pdf