Heni Susiati, Sunardi Sunardi, Mohammad Taufik, Muhammad Abdul Kholiq, Millary Agung Widiawaty, Moh. Dede, Nana Nur Afriana, Dedin Mahyudita Media Rohman, Agam Julian Permana, Muhammad Budi Setiawan, Puspita Wulandari, Asep Mulyadi
The development of nuclear power plants (NPPs) involves not only technical considerations but also social acceptance, which is often overshadowed by high-risk perceptions due to historical memories of nuclear accidents and public distrust in governmental preparedness. This study aims to analyze perceived risk (PR) and social acceptance—covering environmental (EI) and socio-economic (SI) impacts—related to Indonesia's first planned commercial NPP project in West Kalimantan. A quantitative approach was employed using a field survey of 153 respondents within a 50 km radius of the proposed site. Data were analyzed using the Rasch model, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), spatial analysis, and difference tests or Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The SEM model demonstrated an excellent fit with the data. Both EI and SI had significant negative effects on PR, indicating that more positive perceptions of environmental and socio-economic impacts correlate with lower risk concerns. However, closer geographical proximity to the site was associated with higher PR. Perception variations were significantly influenced by respondents’ domicile and occupation, whereas no significant effect was observed for age and education level. These findings suggest that communication and public engagement strategies aimed at enhancing social acceptance must be tailored, targeting community groups based on their location and profession, rather than applying a uniform or generic approach. © 2025 The Author(s)
Universitas Padjadjaran, West Java, Bandung City, 40132, Indonesia; Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional, Jakarta, Central Jakarta, 10340, Indonesia; Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang Regency, West Java, 45360, Indonesia; Center for Environment and Sustainability Sciences, West Java, Bandung City, 40132, Indonesia; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15-2TT, United Kingdom; Cakrabuana Institute for Geoinformation, Environment and Social Studies, Cirebon Regency, West Java, 45188, Indonesia; Faculty of Social Sciences Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, West Java, Bandung City, 40154, Indonesia; Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Central Java, Semarang City, 50237, Indonesia
