How will Indonesia being located in the Pacific Ring of Fire affects the construction of the nuclear plant

By Joan


Javans fired up over reactor next to volcano
Indonesia is forging ahead with plans to build its first nuclear power plant in the shadow of a dormant volcano, despite mounting opposition from environmental groups who fear a catastrophe in a country beset by earthquakes and natural disasters.
The favoured site on the north coast of Java is overlooked by the brooding presence of 5,250ft (1,600-metre) Mount Muria. Critics are concerned that the slightest tremor could trigger a fresh eruption and spell disaster for any nuclear reactor in its path. The consequences of a radioactive leak, through earthquake or eruption, could prove disastrous for Java - home to 100 million Indonesians.
"A nuclear plant on that site could become a genocide for the people of Java," said Chalid Muhammad, director of Walhi, the Indonesian Forum for the Environment. "It's a highly risky proposition: 83% of Indonesia is very dangerous - prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and landslides."
But the Jakarta government and the National Nuclear Energy Agency (Batan) brushed aside the concerns, citing the growing population that will double electricity demand by 2025.
Companies in Japan, Russia and France are vying for the contract to build four proposed 1,500 megawatt reactors on a site near the village of Ujung Lemahabang 280 miles east of Jakarta. Construction of the first is set to start in two years and it will be commissioned by 2016.
Indonesia already has the International Atomic Energy Authority's blessing. Its head, Mohamed ElBaradei, visited Jakarta in December and said the predominantly Muslim nation should face no obstacle developing its nuclear programme as it had met its nuclear non-proliferation treaty obligations.
Studies highlighted by Indonesia's nuclear agency also show the site is safe geologically despite the country's precarious location on the unstable Pacific "ring of fire" volcano and earthquake belt. The agency maintains the reactor will be earthquake proof. "We're completely happy about safety," said Taswando Taryo, of Batan. "Seismic activity is one of our key concerns. But the reactor will withstand earthquakes. We also assessed Mount Muria. It's a small volcano and couldn't affect the reactor."
To ensure the plan does not suffer the same fate as an earlier project that foundered in the teeth of vitriolic opposition, Batan has embarked on a campaign to win over wavering farmers who will live in the shadow of the plant. Handouts of irradiated rice seed - matched by gifts of cows and job-creating construction projects - are crude efforts to convince doubters that nuclear is not dangerous since the crops have been treated with radiation.
"It's like comparing apples and oranges, the two things are totally different," said Nur Hidayati, a Greenpeace worker. "They're saying this is 'nuclear rice'. That's their communication strategy."
A new geological study has unearthed minor faults in the area that suggest the government is playing with fire, she said.
"Nuclear power plants are dangerous technology at the best of times, but when put in an unstable geological location like Indonesia the risk is even higher," she said. "They say Muria volcano died a long time ago, but no one can predict the future."
Campaigners maintain alternatives were not seriously examined. They are at a loss to explain the government's renewed enthusiasm after it backed away from the nuclear power option in 1997.
Some Indonesians even doubt their own ability to build and run a nuclear power plant safely.
"In every accident in Indonesia - planes, trains and ships - the government always blames human error," said Walhi's Mr Chalid. "If that's so, can we build a nuclear reactor in Java and operate it safely with such weakness in our human resources?"
In the coastal town of Jepara, near the planned reactor site on a government rubber plantation, apprehensive inhabitants fear they are being put in jeopardy and caught up in geopolitics.
"If there's an accident or an explosion then the whole community will be the victim," said Ahmad Cholil, a religious and community leader. "This is just a showcase project to give the government a bargaining chip at the nuclear table. But we'll pay if it goes wrong."

Taken from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/apr/05/indonesia.international

Indonesia approves nuclear plant
The Indonesian government has decided to build the country's first nuclear power station.
A spokesman for the Atomic and Nuclear Energy Agency, Deddy Harsono, said construction would start in 2010.


The plant will be built on the Muria peninsula in central Java, and will have four reactors, each able to produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity.


Mr Harsono told the French news agency AFP that the site had been chosen for its tectonic stability.


There are regular earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Indonesia, due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".


Ideas of building the power plant have been on the drawing board for a long time.
Indonesia currently relies on coal-generated electricity as well as hydroelectric power and imported fuel to meet its energy needs.


But the rapid growth in energy consumption has put increasing strain on the nation's resources.

Taken from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4456817.stm