Govt gives go-ahead for nuclear power plant by 2021

By LESTER KONG


KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has approved the setting up of a nuclear power plant, slated to start operating from 2021.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said his ministry has been given the go-ahead by the Economic Council to start identifying suitable sites.

Declining to reveal the possible sites and the total power deliverable, Chin said the nuclear plant needed to be built in an area with high power demand.

"Building of the first plant needs a lead time of at least 10 years.

"We need to look at the safety aspects, human resources and the location," he said, adding that the International Atomic Energy Agency had the final say on whether the plant could be built. Technology know-how and providers may possibly come from South Korea, China, France or Japan, he added.

He stressed that a nuclear plant was sorely needed to meet the country's accelerating energy needs and ensured its energy security.

"Nuclear energy is the only viable option toward our long term energy needs.

"Our energy mix is rather unhealthy. We are depending too much on coal and oil," he told reporters after launching the first Carbon Neutral Conference on Sustainable Buildings South East Asia on Tuesday.

Chin stressed that despite nuclear energy's astronomical start-up costs, it was more cost- and energy-efficient than dotting the country with coal-fired power plants.

On the political fallout from building a nuclear plant, Chin said the Government would be ready to explain to the people the need for one.

He added that the Government would (would not?? typo?) approve a project that was not good for the country..


The original news can be seen from http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/4/nation/20100504145101&sec=nation