INDONESIA STRIVES TO BECOME ROLE MODEL OF NUCLEAR SECURITY CULTURE by Fardah

     Jakarta, Oct 6, 2014 (Antara) - Indonesia has always believed in the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and has been strongly committed to pursuing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

          As a country with a huge population of some 250 million, the Indonesian government has utilized nuclear science and technology to breed food crops and hopes to have a nuclear power plant (PLTN) to produce energy.

         Indonesia expects to have an operational nuclear power plant by 2030, noted Secretary General of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) M. Teguh Pamuji.

         The target was set in the Draft National Energy General Plan (RUEN), he recently revealed.

         "In accordance with the RUEN, which is currently being discussed, PLTN will be ready by 2030," he affirmed.

           Abadi Poernomo, a member of the National Energy Council (DEN), is of the viewpoint that the set target to operate PLTN by 2030 is realistic. Until 2030, the use of fossil energy from coal, gas, and oil will still be the dominant sources of energy.

         "As of now, fossil fuel has been adequate," he remarked.

          The RUEN is in line with the government regulation on the National Energy Policy (KEN). After being signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, KEN is expected to be published in late September 2014.

        Recently, Russian energy company Rosatom offered to build a nuclear power plant in Batam to cope with the shortage in power in the industrial island.  
    Director of Business Development of Rosatom Anna Kudryavtseva was quoted as saying that the company offered to build two nuclear power plants each with a capacity of 1.2 thousand megawatts.  
    Batam is considered to be suitable for setting up nuclear power plants as it is safe from natural disasters, especially earthquakes. Rosatom will not only invest and build the facility but also impart training in the technology to be used, an expert staff of Batam Authority Asroni Harahab stated after the meeting with the Russian delegation.

         To promote security and safety of nuclear utilization for peaceful purposes, Head of the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) Djarot S. Wisnubroto on Sept. 29, 2014, inaugurated the Center for Security Culture and Assessment (CSCA) in Serpong, Banten Province.

         "The CSCA is established to assess the nuclear safety and security culture," Djarot noted in a press conference. The center has been established to strengthen nuclear security as BATAN has three nuclear reactors, which are used for research.   
    BATAN has implemented independent assessment methodologies in its nuclear reactors in Serpong, Bandung, and Yogyakarta.

         "It is not easy to maintain the safety and security of nuclear reactors. We have to remain alert. The CSCA is expected to strengthen the culture of discipline," he stated, adding that safety and security are two inseparable things.

          Building a culture of nuclear security is akin to inculcating an attitude and certain practices among individuals, organizations, and institutions functioning as a facility to support and improve nuclear security.

          An enhanced culture of nuclear security will offer a sense of greater assurance that the entire nuclear security system will accomplish its functions.

          These include preventing, detecting, delaying, and responding to theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, illegal transfer, and other malicious acts involving radioactive material, associated facilities, and transport.

          Wisnubroto emphasized that his agency needed a culture of nuclear security as most of its employees were senior citizens.

         "When we become old, we usually feel comfortable and are not very vigilant. Therefore, a disciplinary culture is required," he remarked, adding that the center is expected to serve as a source of inspiration for other countries.

         BATAN has experience in applying a nuclear safety culture and has obtained recognition from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

           CSCA executive Khairul pointed out that the IAEA recognition had motivated BATAN to establish the CSCA in Southeast Asia.

          "BATAN has also assisted the IAEA in promoting a safety and security culture through the CSCA," Khairul noted.

          "Indonesia is leading in the field of nuclear security. Not all countries understand the need for implementing strong security measures," IAEA representative Kazuko Hamada stated in a press conference following the CSCA inauguration.

           The CSCA has the potential to emerge as an important nuclear culture experiment across the world, he added.

         "The BATAN has demonstrated its achievements by carrying out independent studies," Hamada asserted. 
     According to nuclear expert Igor Khripunov of the University of Georgia, the United States, Indonesia can serve as a model for other countries with regard to nuclear safety and security.

          "Indonesia has been successful in carrying out independent assessments on nuclear safety. That could happen only because of the dedicated people in BATAN," he pointed out.

          Igor did not rule out the possibility of Indonesia's CSCA serving as a model since the center is the only one in the world so far.

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(F001/INE)