Thorcon International, an innovative nuclear technology developer based in Singapore, has received official approval for the Kelasa site evaluation plan (PET) and the site evaluation management system plan (SMET) from nuclear regulator, BAPETEN.

It is the first-ever nuclear power plant-related licensing approval from the Indonesian government, and it marks the completion of the first step of Thorcon's nuclear power plant licensing campaign in Indonesia.

Thorcon has a scalable, shipyard-built molten salt reactor-powered plant delivering 500MW of safe, cost-competitive, and high-efficiency nuclear power. Shipyards can build over hundred large ships in one year and large ships can be built in less than 12 months.

The Thorcon approach seems like a very promising way to deal with the urgent need for scalable power for AI data centers.

The approval comes after the Indonesian government announced in May of this year its aim to introduce 10GW of nuclear power by 2040. Indonesia's current power is mostly from coal.

The approval from BAPETEN is a strong signal that Indonesia is ready to develop and license nuclear power quickly, following its promise to award contracts within five years to meet clean energy targets.

The licensing application was predominately completed by PT Thorcon Power Indonesia staff and domestic contractors, with the review and approval completed entirely by the Indonesian regulators.

The next steps for the Kelasa site are to obtain the site license and design approval, with the potential to start construction in 2027 and achieve full power by 2031.

PT Thorcon Power Indonesia (TPI) submitted their PET and SMET applications to us for approval in January this year, said Wiryono, Director of Nuclear Fuel and Reactor Licensing, BAPETEN.