Thailand too?ELECTRICITY / ALTERNATIVE FUELS
New panel to pave way for nuclear-energy acceptance
YUTHANA PRAIWAN
Getting the public to correctly understand nuclear power projects and safety technology is the first task of a panel formed to supervise the country's first nuclear power plant, according to Kopr Kritayakirana, the panel's chairman.
The National Energy Policy Council established the committee two weeks ago to conduct a feasibility study for a nuclear power plant.
"Apart from the capital and personnel required before undertaking the project, a good understanding among the public is necessity when building a nuclear power plant," said Dr Kopr, an adviser to the Science and Technology minister and a senior adviser to the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
"Rules and regulations and international treaties to certify the use of nuclear power will also be prepared in advance."
Under the 15-year power development plan (PDP) ending in 2021, Thailand is required to build power plants to generate 31,800 megawatts of electricity. Nuclear power is slated to produce 4,000 MW of electricity starting in 2020-21.
Natural gas would account for 18,200 MW, while 2,800 MW will come from coal, 1,700 MW from small power producer projects and 5,100 MW from imports.
Officials have said that a nuclear power plant would require up to 13 years to complete. Seven years are needed to prepare the location, technology, personnel, the nuclear waste dump site and the legal framework. Another six years would be needed for construction.
The panel would also focus on advanced technologies that can be applied to safeguard the environment, the project's economic viability and a comparative study of other types of fuels, Dr Kopr said.
He said that using nuclear power for electricity production was unavoidable given that world oil prices would likely stay above US$60 per barrel, while other renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind and solar power are costly.
The use of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal for electricity production is also a threat to global warming. Nuclear energy would be a better option since the power plant would not emit carbon dioxide, he said.
The committee plans to hold its first meeting within the next two weeks.
Its members include senior officials from the Energy, Natural Resources and Environment, Foreign Affairs and Education ministries, the National Economic and Social Development Board and the Budget Bureau.