Preparation For Nuclear Power Plant Stepped Up

[Garry9999]

Preparation for nuclear power plant stepped up

By The Nation

Published on April 14, 2010

The Energy Regulatory Commission and the Office of Atoms for Peace recently discussed the scope of their regulatory powers over nuclear energy plants as Thailand makes plans for such plants for the first time ever.

According to the Federation of Thai Industries' Industry Focus publication, nuclear technology adviser Preecha Karasut said it had more or less been agreed that the Energy Regulatory Commission would focus on the power-generating front, while the Atoms for Peace Office would emphasise safety standards.

He noted that if Thailand was for nuclear power plants, the 1961 Atomic Energy for Peace Act should be amended to specify legal fuel for the power plants as well as compensation for damages.

"A fund should be established to take care of the compensation, but be inclusive of the construction costs, because producing nuclear energy cost a lot less than other fuel," he said, adding that the cost was now about Bt2.40 per unit.

He also noted that to proceed with the development plan for alternative energy, which includes the construction of nuclear plants, Thailand had prepared on all fronts - location, technology, safety enhancement, construction standards and public understanding. The process also won advice from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field.

The Energy Ministry expects the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to shortlist three sites next month and then the government would decide whether it should go ahead with the plan. If the plan is approved, the first nuclear plant should be seen in 2020.

Under the revised Power Development Plan (PDP) 2010-2030, 40 per cent of the power will be generated from natural gas, 20 per cent will be bought from neighbouring countries, 5 per cent will be renewable energy and 10 per cent will be nuclear power. The remaining 25 per cent will come from coal and other sources. According, greenhouse gas emissions will drop from 0.546 kilogram per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 0.38-0.42KWh.

A source from the ministry said that according to the PDP, the cost of nuclear energy per unit would be Bt2.79, versus Bt3.96 to Bt13.65 per unit generated in natural-gas plants.

Energy Minister Wannarat Charn-nukul said the PDP could be adjusted to address the changing environment. However, Thailand is aiming to increase alternative energy consumption to 20 per cent by 2012, which should reduce energy imports worth Bt460 billion a year. This would also reduce greenhouse gases by at least 42 million tonnes a year.

Thanawit Chindapradit, former energy expert for the ministry, noted that nuclear power had become very popular across the globe because it was the cleanest energy. He added that Thailand should embrace serious talks on this energy, given that oil reserves would be running out soon. While nuclear power can assure long-term energy security, other types of alternative energy - wind, solar and hydropower - could not fully address power demand, he said.

Aside from China, Vietnam and Indonesia have also started constructing nuclear power plants.

"Nuclear power is not a new hero - it's a recommended choice if clean energy and efficiency are the priority," he said in the FTI publication.

According to Suvit Limvattanakul, president of the FTI's Power Producer Industry Club, Thailand is home to more than 250 privately owned power plants, both large-sized ones under the independent power producer scheme and small ones under the small power producer (SPP) scheme. So far, there are only seven large plants, while among the SPPs, some produce renewable energy.

Suvit noted that regardless of fuel, electricity prices would definitely rise as the price of natural gas, which constitutes nearly 70 per cent of the fuel generated, should rise in tandem with oil prices.

Therefore, it is necessary for the government to address three issues: reducing the dependence on natural gas of which half is imported from Burma; increasing power generated by other fuels particularly coal and nuclear; and developing sustainable power.

The Office of Atoms for Peace recently drafted nuclear strategy for the government's approval. According to the office's secretary-general, Chaiwat Torsakunkaew, part of the strategy involves the use of nuclear power as alternative energy. However, to promote this strategy public support is needed, and therefore government needs to raise awareness and understand about the peace use of nuclear power.

-- The Nation Published on April 14, 2010

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[needforspeed]

Gary, what is the question?

[wasabi]

What is the Red Shirts take it over?

[webfact]

runs already in News Clippings

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