Regulatory Framework for the Decommissioning of Indonesian Nuclear Facilities

Abstract

The decommissioning of nuclear facilities in Indonesia are mainly based on Nuclear Energy Act of 1997 on, Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN) Chairman Regulation (BCR) No. 4 of 2009, and Government Regulation (GR) No. 2 of 2014 that cover general provisions and licensing requirements of decommissioning and the detailed requirements and guidelines for preparing the decommissioning plan and licensee applications. BCR No. 4 of 2009 was developed based on the adoption and adaption from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Guide, WS-G-2.1. Currently, one of three research reactors, Training Research Isotopes General Atomics (TRIGA) research reactor 2 MW (the oldest which went critical at 250 kW in 1964, and was operated at maximum in 1971, and was upgraded to 2 MW in 2000), has operated for 45 y, but there is no decision for decommissioning this reactor yet. Indonesia has experience in decommissioning of the phosphoric acid purification facility of the Gresik petrochemical plant. Some aspects of decommissioning, which have been successfully addressed to date, are: regulation, communication, and decommissioning team. Development of human resources, technological capability, and information flow from more advanced countries are an important factor for the future of the nuclear facility decommissioning plan in Indonesia. Some regulations have still not anticipated all the regulatory challenges that might be encountered in the near future. More regulations and guidance are needed to be established by BAPETEN in order to complete the current regulations so that problems can all be anticipated.