The 8,9-magnitude earthquake that happened in Japan couple of days ago has given lots of reactions, especially to its nuclear power plants. Until today, one of the nuclear power plants exploded, given hundreds of thousands of people to be evacuated, due to the nuclear radiation. Japan is in fact one of the three largest economy countries in the world. Yet, due to Tsunami, the country has to surpass all damages that were caused by the earthquake. Managing its power plants will be one of its urgent issues. And again, becoming one of the top three, is not a guarantee that you could avoid disasters.
Fukushima power plant, built in 1971, is actually a 40 years old power plant. Supposed to be closed down this year, yet it has an extended operating licence for another 10 years [The Jakarta Post, March 14th 2011]. Fukushima nuclear power plant is an early-model boiling water reactor (BWR) composed of six units taht first went into operation at the same time, 1971. Generating around 4,7 GW, Fukushima is named as one of the largest nuclear power in the world.
Wikipedia mentioned that, on the day the earthquake struck, there were 3 units in operations; while the other three was undergone maintainance. By the time the earthquake struck, the 3 operating ones were automatically shut down. A little later, the generator for emergency cooling was also stopped to work, which cause the increasing in temperature inside the reactor to happen; which of course, resulting to the increament of pressure. This then led to hydrogen explosion that destroyed its concrete weather cover of the reactor building. Eventually, they’re using seawater to cool down the reactor, which was said as being the only option they had.
Having the above facts, i was trying to rethink about my country. If i’m not mistaken, there are two places within Indonesia that are planned to have nuclear power plant built. One is due to the government decision (?) in Jepara (Central Java) and the other one is in Bangka Belitung (upon request of the local government), a place that is quite famous with its coastal scenery. As i went through several news about Fukushima and its impacts, i was then ponder to myself, what if the nuclear explosion happens in Indonesia? Well, when you want to do something, you need to calculate the risks first, right?
I don’t think technology is a boundary for Indonesia, and i don’t want to argue nor bringing it to the issue. But the fact that Indonesia is one of the most corrupt country in the world (with corruption index of 2,8 Indonesia ranks 110 out of 178 countries; the more corrupt your country is, the lower your corruption index), leaves me with doubt. In Indonesia, even highways development were corrupted; leaving several cases of road displacements or even significant cracks. That’s highway. Even in building highways, contractors rarely pay any attention to safety. Now, how about nuclear power plant?
I don’t want to be exagerrated, but i just want to reflect on the above facts. Do you think, with such level of corruption, there won’t be any ‘reduction’ on the power plant construction? And, Indonesia, in fact, is not one of the top three economy countries. So, its vulnerability to disaster are much much much higher than Japan’s. For sure. I could imagine if such kind of practices still undergone in Indonesia and we (finally) have nuclear power plant(s).
I will leave with the above facts and questions. Because i think, everybody knows the answer…
I still think, renewable energy is the best option that we really need to utilize…
Even Japan, a country that is way advance from us, they still need to collect their ‘pieces’.
ime’…
deep condolence for Japan and other countries affected…
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