Opportunities and challenges of establishing a nuclear power plant in the Bangka Belitung islands province: juridical and sociological perspectives

Abstract This study aims to analyze the legal aspects of using nuclear power in Indonesia and the challenges of developing nuclear power plants in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province from a legal and sociological perspective. The research method uses an empirical juridical method. Indonesia already has several regulations governing nuclear energy. However, existing rules cannot yet enable Indonesia to have its nuclear power plant. Apart from that, there are four primary keys to the nuclear legal framework—safety, security, safeguards, and liability for atomic losses. Indonesia must still improve its safeguard and security framework in regulating nuclear energy law. So, the law needs to be amended or replaced. Meanwhile, the opportunity to build a nuclear power plant is due to a regional regulation regulating the Bangka Belitung Islands Province Regional Regulation Number 13 of 2019 concerning the General Regional Energy Plan for 2019-2050 and the abundant potential for thorium. Meanwhile, the challenges are due to resistance from the WALHI community organization and several communities and the lack of regulations at the central level.