Latest news with #OxfordInstituteforEnergyStudies
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sarawak forms strategic collaboration with foreign institute to formulate sustainable energy policy
KUCHING: Sarawak has formed a strategic collaboration with the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES) in sustainable energy research and policy. State Deputy Energy and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said the partnership would advance Sarawak's ambitions in renewable energy, carbon management and energy transition, positioning the state as a regional leader in clean energy innovation. "Collaboration with the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies will facilitate Sarawak's journey towards a sustainable, low-carbon future," he said in a statement today (June 3). Dr Hazland, who led a state delegation to an engagement session with OIES, highlighted Sarawak's abundant natural resources and initiatives in hydropower, solar energy and green energy production. He said the state's comprehensive energy transition strategy was designed to drive economic growth, promote social inclusivity and ensure environmental stewardship. "This firmly establishes Sarawak as a trailblazer in renewable energy and carbon management in Southeast Asia," he said. Dr Hazland also said OIES' carbon management programme, which focused on nature-based solutions, aligned closely with Sarawak's forest coverage and estimated carbon stock of about one billion tonnes. "With Sarawak's active involvement in carbon trading and developing related regulations, OIES is keen to collaborate on research and customised fellowships that explore carbon trading mechanisms, forest carbon management and policy frameworks, strengthening Sarawak's role in sustainable carbon management and climate action," he said. During the engagement session, OIES invited stakeholders in Sarawak to participate in its upcoming events and workshops, including Gas Day and Hydrogen Day. It also offered collaboration on research and fellowship programmes focused on hydrogen production, carbon management and policy frameworks. "These opportunities are set to accelerate Sarawak's capabilities and visibility in the global sustainable energy arena," Dr Hazland said. He added that both parties recognised the importance of robust policy and regulatory frameworks to underpin the energy transition and carbon management. "Through joint research, knowledge exchange and capacity building, this collaboration will further elevate Sarawak's role in shaping regional and global sustainable energy initiatives," he said.
Kuwait Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Nuclear option: Indonesia seeks to grow energy, cut emissions
Southeast Asia's largest economy targets net-zero by 2050 JAKARTA: Indonesia is hoping going nuclear can help it meet soaring energy demand while taming emissions, but faces serious challenges to its goal of a first small modular reactor by 2032. Its first experiment with nuclear energy dates to February 1965, when then-president Sukarno inaugurated a test reactor. Sixty years later, Southeast Asia's largest economy has three research reactors but no nuclear power plants for electricity. Abundant reserves of polluting coal have so far met the enormous archipelago's energy needs. But "nuclear will be necessary to constrain the rise of and eventually reduce emissions", said Philip Andrews-Speed, a senior research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. President Prabowo Subianto has promised to ensure energy security while meeting a pledge to eliminate coal-powered electricity generation within 15 years. Coal accounts for around two-thirds of electricity generation in Indonesia, which targets net-zero by 2050. The government wants 40-54GW of the 400GW it projects will be generated nationwide by 2060 to come from nuclear. It hopes to kickstart capacity with a reactor on Borneo "by 2030 or 2032", according to Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. It will be a small modular reactor, which has a lower capacity than traditional reactors but is easier to assemble and transport. The total number of plants planned has not been detailed, but the government has begun scouting locations - a challenge for a country located on the seismically active "Ring of Fire". "Currently, 29 potential locations have been identified for the construction of nuclear power plants," Dadan Kusdiana, acting secretary general of the National Energy Council (DEN) told AFP. All are outside the country's biggest island of Java, in line with government goals to develop the archipelago's centre and east. The sites would also put facilities near energy-hungry mining sites. Ring of Fire While Japan's quake and tsunami-triggered Fukushima disaster has stalled nuclear progress in some parts of Asia, proponents say nuclear can be done safely in Indonesia. "North Java, East Sumatra, West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan are considered as low-risk zones," said Andang Widi Harto, a nuclear engineering researcher at Yogyakarta University. "These low seismic risk regions also coincide with low volcanic risk regions," he added. Countries from Vietnam to Belgium are also growing or retaining nuclear capacity as they struggle to meet net-zero goals to combat climate change. While Indonesia may not be alone in the nuclear pivot, it has little domestic expertise to draw on. It will look abroad for help, said Kusdiana, citing "serious interest" from providers including Russia's Rosatom, China's CNNC and Candu Canada. The Indonesian subsidiary of US company ThorCon is already seeking a license for an experimental "molten-salt reactor". It wants to use shipyards to build small reactors that will be towed to coastal or offshore locations and "ballasted" to the seabed. Kusdiana said DEN has also visited France's EDF SA to explore possible cooperation. French President Emmanuel Macron is due in Indonesia this week as part of a Southeast Asia tour. EDF said there were currently "no discussions underway on nuclear with Indonesia," though its CEO Bernard Fontana will be part of Macron's delegation. A second French firm, Orano, also said it had not discussed collaboration with Indonesia. 'Skeptical' Given the challenges, which also include connectivity issues, waste disposal and potential domestic opposition, some experts warn Indonesia's nuclear timeline is overambitious. "I would join others who are skeptical that Indonesia can deploy nuclear power at any significant scale in the next ten years," said Andrews-Speed at the Oxford Institute. Environmentalists would like to see Indonesia focus more on meeting its clean energy targets with renewable sources. While hydroelectric accounts for over seven percent of Indonesia's electricity generation, solar and wind contribute tiny amounts and could be significantly ramped up, experts say. Cost and "high corruption" are also obstacles, said Dwi Sawung, energy and urban campaign manager at NGO WALHI. "There is not enough left in the government and PLN (state electricity company) budget," he told AFP. The government has not said how much it expects the nuclear ramp-up to cost, but Kusdiana insists the money will be there. "Various potential international investors... have shown interest", including Russia, the United States, Denmark, South Korea and China, he said. - AFP
Qatar Tribune
28-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Indonesia seeks to grow energy, cut emissions
Agencies Indonesia is hoping going nuclear can help it meet soaring energy demand while taming emissions, but faces serious challenges to its goal of a first small modular reactor by 2032. Its first experiment with nuclear energy dates to February 1965, when then-president Sukarno inaugurated a test reactor. Sixty years later, Southeast Asia's largest economy has three research reactors but no nuclear power plants for electricity. Abundant reserves of polluting coal have so far met the enormous archipelago's energy needs. But 'nuclear will be necessary to constrain the rise of and eventually reduce emissions', said Philip Andrews-Speed, a senior research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. President Prabowo Subianto has promised to ensure energy security while meeting a pledge to eliminate coal-powered electricity generation within 15 years. Coal accounts for around two-thirds of electricity generation in Indonesia, which targets net-zero by 2050. The government wants 40-54GW of the 400GW it projects will be generated nationwide by 2060 to come from nuclear. It hopes to kickstart capacity with a reactor on Borneo 'by 2030 or 2032', according to Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. It will be a small modular reactor, which has a lower capacity than traditional reactors but is easier to assemble and transport. The total number of plants planned has not been detailed, but the government has begun scouting locations - a challenge for a country located on the seismically active 'Ring of Fire'. 'Currently, 29 potential locations have been identified for the construction of nuclear power plants,' Dadan Kusdiana, acting secretary general of the National Energy Council (DEN) told AFP. All are outside the country's biggest island of Java, in line with government goals to develop the archipelago's centre and east. The sites would also put facilities near energy-hungry mining sites. While Japan's quake and tsunami-triggered Fukushima disaster has stalled nuclear progress in some parts of Asia, proponents say nuclear can be done safely in Indonesia. 'North Java, East Sumatra, West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan are considered as low-risk zones,' said Andang Widi Harto, a nuclear engineering researcher at Yogyakarta University. 'These low seismic risk regions also coincide with low volcanic risk regions,' he added. Countries from Vietnam to Belgium are also growing or retaining nuclear capacity as they struggle to meet net-zero goals to combat climate change. While Indonesia may not be alone in the nuclear pivot, it has little domestic expertise to draw on. It will look abroad for help, said Kusdiana, citing 'serious interest' from providers including Russia's Rosatom, China's CNNC and Candu Canada. The Indonesian subsidiary of US company ThorCon is already seeking a license for an experimental 'molten-salt reactor'. It wants to use shipyards to build small reactors that will be towed to coastal or offshore locations and 'ballasted' to the seabed. Kusdiana said DEN has also visited France's EDF SA to explore possible cooperation. French President Emmanuel Macron is due in Indonesia this week as part of a Southeast Asia tour. EDF said there were currently 'no discussions underway on nuclear with Indonesia,' though its CEO Bernard Fontana will be part of Macron's delegation. A second French firm, Orano, also said it had not discussed collaboration with Indonesia.
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Nuclear option: Indonesia seeks to grow energy, cut emissions
INDONESIA is hoping going nuclear can help it meet soaring energy demand while taming emissions, but faces serious challenges to its goal of a first small modular reactor by 2032. Its first experiment with nuclear energy dates to February 1965, when then-president Sukarno inaugurated a test reactor. Sixty years later, Southeast Asia's largest economy has three research reactors but no nuclear power plants for electricity. Abundant reserves of polluting coal have so far met the enormous archipelago's energy needs. But "nuclear will be necessary to constrain the rise of and eventually reduce emissions", said Philip Andrews-Speed, a senior research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. President Prabowo Subianto has promised to ensure energy security while meeting a pledge to eliminate coal-powered electricity generation within 15 years. Coal accounts for around two-thirds of electricity generation in Indonesia, which targets net-zero by 2050. The government wants 40-54GW of the 400GW it projects will be generated nationwide by 2060 to come from nuclear. It hopes to kickstart capacity with a reactor on Borneo "by 2030 or 2032", according to Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. It will be a small modular reactor, which has a lower capacity than traditional reactors but is easier to assemble and transport. The total number of plants planned has not been detailed, but the government has begun scouting locations – a challenge for a country located on the seismically active "Ring of Fire." "Currently, 29 potential locations have been identified for the construction of nuclear power plants," Dadan Kusdiana, acting secretary general of the National Energy Council (DEN) told AFP. All are outside the country's biggest island of Java, in line with government goals to develop the archipelago's centre and east. The sites would also put facilities near energy-hungry mining sites. While Japan's quake and tsunami-triggered Fukushima disaster has stalled nuclear progress in some parts of Asia, proponents say nuclear can be done safely in Indonesia. "North Java, East Sumatra, West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan are considered as low-risk zones," said Andang Widi Harto, a nuclear engineering researcher at Yogyakarta University. "These low seismic risk regions also coincide with low volcanic risk regions," he added. Countries from Vietnam to Belgium are also growing or retaining nuclear capacity as they struggle to meet net-zero goals to combat climate change. While Indonesia may not be alone in the nuclear pivot, it has little domestic expertise to draw on. It will look abroad for help, said Kusdiana, citing "serious interest" from providers including Russia's Rosatom, China's CNNC and Candu Canada. The Indonesian subsidiary of US company ThorCon is already seeking a licence for an experimental "molten-salt reactor." It wants to use shipyards to build small reactors that will be towed to coastal or offshore locations and "ballasted" to the seabed. Kusdiana said DEN has also visited France's EDF SA to explore possible cooperation. French President Emmanuel Macron is due in Indonesia this week as part of a Southeast Asia tour. EDF said there were currently "no discussions underway on nuclear with Indonesia," though its CEO Bernard Fontana will be part of Macron's delegation. A second French firm, Orano, also said it had not discussed collaboration with Indonesia. Given the challenges, which also include connectivity issues, waste disposal and potential domestic opposition, some experts warn Indonesia's nuclear timeline is overambitious. "I would join others who are sceptical that Indonesia can deploy nuclear power at any significant scale in the next ten years," said Andrews-Speed at the Oxford Institute. Environmentalists would like to see Indonesia focus more on meeting its clean energy targets with renewable sources. While hydroelectric accounts for over seven per cent of Indonesia's electricity generation, solar and wind contribute tiny amounts and could be significantly ramped up, experts say. Cost and "high corruption" are also obstacles, said Dwi Sawung, energy and urban campaign manager at NGO WALHI. "There is not enough left in the government and PLN (state electricity company) budget," he told AFP. The government has not said how much it expects the nuclear ramp-up to cost, but Kusdiana insists the money will be there. "Various potential international investors... have shown interest", including Russia, the United States, Denmark, South Korea and China, he said.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Defying all odds with nuclear power
Balancing act: Researchers conducting their daily monitoring of the nuclear reactor facility at the National Research and Innovation Agency in Bandung. — AFP THE country is hoping going nuclear can help it meet soaring energy demand while taming emissions, but faces serious challenges to its goal of a first small modular reactor by 2032. Its first experiment with nuclear energy dates to February 1965, when then-president Sukarno inaugurated a test reactor. Sixty years later, South-East Asia's largest economy has three research reactors but no nuclear power plants for electricity. Abundant reserves of polluting coal have so far met the enormous archipelago's energy needs. But 'nuclear will be necessary to constrain the rise of and eventually reduce emissions,' said Philip Andrews-Speed, a senior research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. President Prabowo Subianto has promised to ensure energy security while meeting a pledge to eliminate coal-powered electricity generation within 15 years. Coal accounts for around two-thirds of electricity generation in Indonesia, which targets net-zero by 2050. The government wants 40-54GW of the 400GW it projects will be generated nationwide by 2060 to come from nuclear. It hopes to kickstart capacity with a reactor on the country's part of Borneo 'by 2030 or 2032', according to Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. It will be a small modular reactor, which has a lower capacity than traditional reactors but is easier to assemble and transport. The total number of plants planned has not been detailed, but the government has begun scouting locations – a challenge for a country located on the seismically active 'Ring of Fire'. 'Currently, 29 potential locations have been identified for the construction of nuclear power plants,' Dadan Kusdiana, acting secretary-general of the National Energy Council (DEN), said. All are outside the country's biggest island of Java, in line with government goals to develop the archipelago's centre and east. The sites would also put facilities near energy-hungry mining sites. While Japan's quake and tsunami-triggered Fukushima disaster has stalled nuclear progress in some parts of Asia, proponents say nuclear can be done safely in Indonesia. 'North Java, East Sumatra, West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan are considered as low-risk zones,' said Andang Widi Harto, a nuclear engineering researcher at Yogyakarta University. Countries from Vietnam to Belgium are also growing or retaining nuclear capacity as they struggle to meet net-zero goals to combat climate change. While Indonesia isn't alone in the nuclear pivot, it has little domestic expertise to draw on. It will look abroad for help, said Dadan, citing 'serious interest' from providers including Russia's Rosatom, China's CNNC and Candu Canada. The Indonesian subsidiary of US company ThorCon is already seeking a licence for an experimental 'molten-salt reactor'. It wants to use shipyards to build reactors that will be towed to coastal or offshore locations and 'ballasted' to the seabed. Dadan said DEN has also visited France's EDF SA to explore possible cooperation. French President Emmanuel Macron is due in Indonesia this week on a South-East Asia tour. EDF said there are currently 'no discussions underway on nuclear with Indonesia,' though its CEO Bernard Fontana will be part of Macron's delegation. A second French firm, Orano, also said it had not discussed collaboration with Indonesia. The government has not said how much it expects the nuclear ramp-up to cost, but Dadan insists the money will be there. 'Various potential international investors ... have shown interest', including Russia, the United States, Denmark, South Korea and China, he said. — AFP
