(dpa) - Despite strong opposition, the Indonesian government insisted Wednesday it would go ahead with its plans to build four nuclear power plants in the country, a state-run media report said.
State Research and Technology Minister Kusmayanto Kadiman said the plants were part of the country's long-term development plans and were needed to fulfil its energy demand, according to the state-run Antara news agency.
"If one nuclear power plant can produce 1,200 megawatts of electricity, we need four plants by 2025 to met our power demand," Kadiman was quoted as saying.
Indonesia plans to build the first nuclear power plant at the foot of the dormant Mount Muria volcano in earthquake-prone Central Java, about 450 kilometres east of Jakarta.
Java accounts for more than 60 per cent of the 225 million people who inhabit the 17,000 islands that comprise the sprawling archipelago nation.
Thousands of residents near the planned plant, backed by a number of national lawmakers and environmental groups, oppose the project.
Environmentalists have long criticized the proposed nuclear plant, saying there are cheaper, safer ways to generate power and the country has more environmentally sound sources, including geothermal energy and natural gas.
But Kadiman was quoted as saying that it is "normal" to have parties who oppose the plan, adding that "we have prepared everything for the nuclear power plant" from planning and technology to financing and human resources.
"We have to start the construction this year," he said. "Otherwise, we will be behind schedule."
Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because of its location on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
The Mount Muria volcano has been dormant for more than 3,000 years, officials said.