PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - In an effort to realize the construction of a nuclear power plant based on Molten Salt Reactor technology, PT ThorCon Power Indonesia collaborated with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) to inaugurate the "ThorCon-ITB Molten Salt Lab" which is the first nuclear fuel refining laboratory in Asia located in PT ANK Workshop, De Prima Terra Industrial Area, Tegalluar Bandung.

This laboratory, which stands on 2 containers, is the result of joint design and development with PT AIMTOP Indo Nuansa Kimia. The main focus of this laboratory is research on Molten Fuel Salt as fuel for the ThorCon TMSR500 reactor.

Operations Director of PT ThorCon Power Indonesia, Bob S Effendi hopes that, as the first laboratory in Asia, "ThorCon-ITB Molten Fuel Salt Lab" can become a promising embryo for the potential development of a nuclear fuel factory in Indonesia.

"Currently, ThorCon has 2 pillars, the first is design and construction, with the target being that the nuclear power plant can be used in Indonesia in 2027, if it has received a legal umbrella from the government," said Boy, after the inauguration, Monday (27/11/2023).

“The second pillar is fuel. "Later, construction and fuel will meet in 2028." "PT ThorCon Power Indonesia is also committed to making the "ThorCon-ITB Molten Fuel Salt Lab" a sustainable asset in the development of science and technology, especially in the field of nuclear energy in Indonesia," he added.

According to Boy, after operating for 5 years, the target of this laboratory is to build a pilot plant and it is hoped that it will later be built at the ITB Jatinangor complex which will then be donated to ITB as stated in the agreement.

Chairman of LPPM ITB, Yuli Setyo Indartono said that the efforts made by PT ThorCon Power Indonesia should be appreciated, namely collaborating with the Institute of Higher Education which is a research institution so that Indonesian people can master a type of technology.

“This can increase personal capacity for both lecturers and students. "The most important thing is to build the ability to master technology for the Indonesian people so that we are not dependent on other countries, or in other words, this can build technological independence for the Indonesian people in the future," said Yuli.

Meanwhile, the Director of PT AIMTOP Indo Nuansa Kimia, Setyo Yanus Sasongko stated that what is being developed by PT ThorCon Power together with ITB is in accordance with one of our visions, namely wanting to develop technology.

“We are very grateful to ThorCon Power who continues to provide support so that we can be involved in this activity. Not only were they witnesses to history, but the invited guests who attended had the opportunity to directly observe the conditions in the laboratory.