Indonesia plans to build thorium-based power plant
The provincial government of Bangka Belitung Islands of Indonesia is planning to build a thorium-based power plant on Gelasa Island in Central Bangka district to increase energy security and support the community's development and economy.
Acting governor of Bangka Belitung Islands, Ridwan Djamaluddin, said the project, which will involve extracting thorium from silica sand, could help Indonesia realize its energy transition and cut dependence on fossil fuel energy. (Photo: ANTARA)
Jakarta (VNA) - The provincial government of Bangka Belitung Islands of Indonesia is planning to build a thorium-based power plant on Gelasa Island in Central Bangka district to increase energy security and support the community's development and economy.
According to Acting Governor of Bangka Belitung Islands Ridwan Djamaluddin, the locality is studying the feasibility of the development of a thorium power plant on Gelasa Island.
The focus of the energy transition programme is not only terminating the operation of the coal-fired power plants, but how much Indonesia is committed to contributing to supporting other industries in utilising new and renewable energy, he added.
The acting governor said he hopes that if the province succeeds in developing thorium-powered electricity, it will become a new energy barn that would sell cheaper electricity compared to the power generated by coal-fired plants.
According to the official webpage of the provincial government, the soil in the region is rich in aluminum, tin, silica, sand, granite, kaolin, and clay.
Ridwan stressed that to expedite the construction of the thorium-based power plant, serious discussions and support from all parties and the community are required./.
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Acting governor of Bangka Belitung Islands, Ridwan Djamaluddin, said the project, which will involve extracting thorium from silica sand, could help Indonesia realize its energy transition and cut dependence on fossil fuel energy. (Photo: ANTARA) 
