The question of energy has taken a forefront in local news this week, in light of the various announcements and also due to exposing of hidden secrets that would see the state of Serawak building up to 12 more dam’s in the coming future.
Bad as that may sound , I for one am equally if not more concerned with the statement made by the Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abd Aziz Shaziman Abu Mansor following on the heels of the announcement from the Malaysia Nuclear Agency.
To sum it all up here’s what was said:
Dr Muhd Noor, Deputy Director of Malaysian Nuclear Energy:
With prices of fuel escalating drastically, there have been calls for Malaysia to consider nuclear energy as it is cheaper in the long run.
Typically, it takes 15 to 20 years for a nuclear power plant to be completed.
We cannot rush into nuclear energy as there are a lot of construction management issues. There is a lot of effort and know-how that need to be translated into a real plant.
The longer Malaysia waited, the costlier it would become to implement it. Currently, the estimated construction cost of a 1,000MW nuclear power plant could vary from US$1.5bil to US$3bil (RM4.8bil-RM9.6bil).
He, however, admitted that setting up a nuclear power plant had its challenges such as high capital expenditure, long project implementation and liability and a long payback period
Datuk Shaziman Abd Aziz:
The country shouldn’t reject the possibility of using nuclear energy in the future.
The implementation of nuclear fuel facilities takes time by at least 12 to 15 years. Acts and regulations have to be tabled.
My Corncens
Being a simple layman myself, here’s what I find perplexing.
- Malaysia energy provider TNB already is purchasing a 40% surplus of energy from the Independant Power Providers (IPP) and have agreements in place for continued purchase for a period up to 30 years.
- The state of Serawak is on the path of plundering the vast natural reserves of it’s forest in a deluded attempt to build up to 12 hydroelectric dams.
- Nuclear energy is a long term investment that on the face value only, could cost the country anywhere from RM 4.8 billion up to RM 9.6 billion. I cannot stress the importance of the term face value – as we are well aware that initial estimates such as this always end up being bloated to double or triple of the original cost.
- Malaysia being Malaysia, we should be marginally aware of the classical case of our 3rd world mentality that always see major screw ups on most projects undertaken. When it comes to nuclear energy, any type of screw up is definitely going to be costly!
- Most importantly, I must ask the powers that be what about using ‘green’ power i.e. sun and wind power as potential renewable energy sources. Being situated on the equator Malaysia is prime position to embark on solar energy initiate and in addition to that we have long coastlines that make wind turbine energy generation is distinct possibility.
As the famous saying goes, a picture can speak a thousand words, so I leave you with the following images.
Will this …
Nuclear Power Plant in Malaysia?
equate to this ….
Can anyone say Chernobyl?
or will the government of the day wise up and go for …
Solar(photovoltaic) panels provide clean and free energy
and also for …
Wind turbines for Malaysian coastlines
For your reading:
- 20 years for a nuke plant – The Star
- Don’t reject possibility of using nuclear energy: Shaziman – The Star
