Indonesia eyes nuclear option in bid to grow energy and cut emissions

Indonesia's ambitious push into nuclear energy represents a significant leap toward sustainable growth, aiming to meet its booming energy demands while cutting emissions. Though it successfully tested a nuclear reactor in 1965 under President Sukarno, the country has no operational nuclear power plants today—only three research reactors—and relies heavily on coal, which remains both abundant and polluting. The nation's goal of launching its first small modular reactor by 2032 faces substantial obstacles as it navigates this transition.