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Friday June 29, 2007

Nuclear the way to go

BANGI: Malaysia may have to resort to nuclear power as an alternative power source by the year 2020, said Datuk Kong Cho Ha.

While various other power sources such as hydro, wind and solar energy were tangible alternatives, the Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister stressed the need for a “reliable” power source.

First-hand look: Reporters being briefed by Nuclear Agency of Malaysia manager Datin Zarina Masood in Bangi yesterday.
“Eighty five percent of electricity generated in the nation is produced by fossil fuels such as natural gas, oil and coal.

“These resources are progressively depleting and getting very expensive, giving reason for the Government to consider nuclear power as a very serious option.

“We need a power source that is both reliable and environment-friendly - two aspects which are very hard to pinpoint in other energy sources,” said Kong, adding that there was increasing pressure from the global community to decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels.

He also explained that nuclear “fuel” was much cheaper, as it was very seldom that it needed to be “refilled” or replaced.

Kong said the Nuclear Agency of Malaysia had been directed to prepare the manpower, resources and know-how by 2020 to run a full-fledged nuclear power programme.

The programme, whilst keeping electricity generation as its core function, will also focus on providing other research and testing functions in the fields of agriculture, medicine and manufacturing.

It will be powered by a 20MW (megawatt) nuclear reactor, a behemoth structure in comparison to the current 1MW nuclear reactor being housed in the Nuclear Agency of Malaysia, which celebrated its 25th year in operation here yesterday.

Speaking after opening the event, Kong said that many other countries had also begun adopting nuclear power as an alternative.

“Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Australia have already begun to structure their nuclear power programmes. We should definitely not be left behind.

“To do this, we need the support of the public who are still against nuclear energy.

“People must understand that it is not something bad or evil, but a power that can be harnessed for a better future.

“One would have to live near a nuclear power plant for over 2,000 years to get the same amount of radiation exposure that one gets from a single diagnostic X-ray,” said Kong.

He said the Government had allocated RM31mil under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for the development of nuclear reactor science and technology, nuclear equipment, nuclear waste management and nuclear technology transfer.

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