Indonesia Bets On Thorcon’s Molten Salt Reactor, But History Suggests Trouble Ahead - CleanTechnica

Indonesia has recently granted early-stage regulatory approval to Thorcon International, a Singapore-based company developing molten salt reactors, to evaluate a site for a demonstration nuclear power plant on Kelasa Island. This move marks Indonesia’s first formal commitment to nuclear energy, aiming to diversify its electricity mix amid rapidly growing demand. Currently, Indonesia’s power system is fragmented across its vast archipelago, with many remote islands relying on costly and polluting diesel generators. The country’s electricity generation remains heavily dependent on coal (61%), with modest contributions from renewables such as hydropower (7%), geothermal (5%), and solar (1%). The government plans to add 71 GW of new capacity by 2034, including 10 GW of nuclear by 2040, alongside significant expansions in renewables and storage to reduce coal reliance and meet climate goals. However, the article highlights significant challenges and historical lessons that cast doubt on the success of Indonesia’s nuclear ambitions. Globally, nuclear power has only thrived under conditions