Is West Kalimantan More Suitable for Constructing the First Nuclear Power Plant in Indonesia Compared with Bangka Belitung? Analysis of Public Surveys in those Two Provinces

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the public perceptions of Bangka Belitung and West Kalimantan towards developing nuclear power plants (NPP) in Indonesia so that the Government gets input in choosing a suitable location to construct the first NPP in the future. Methods: The survey in Bangka Belitung was held in 2017, while in West Kalimantan in 2019. Quantitative research methods were carried out through face-to-face interviews. Using a total sample of 800 respondents for Bangka Belitung and 600 respondents for West Kalimantan gave a margin of error of ±1.8% at a confidence level of 95.0%. Findings: The Bangka Belitung residents, whose electricity has been met with relatively more minor disruption and blackouts, tended to reject nuclear power plants (51.75% support and 48.25% reject). On the other hand, due to constraints in fulfilling electricity needs and the sentiment factor of electricity imports from Malaysia, the West Kalimantan public supports the Indonesian nuclear power program (87.17% support and 12.83% reject). Furthermore, West Kalimantan is more likely to be the first location for NPPs. Novelty: For the first time, a study to compare people's perceptions of the two provinces was conducted. Interestingly, there are similarities in those two provinces, which tend to choose renewable energy if available over nuclear energy. As the support from the West Kalimantan public for the nuclear power plant is probably for pragmatic reasons, it is to be questioned if this support will remain sustainable if coal-fired power plants can soon solve the electricity problem in the area.