Thread: Nuclear power plant faces strong resistance

Nuclear power plant faces strong resistance - Nationmultimedia.com
A survey team scouting locations for the country's first nuclear power plant was blocked yesterday by villagers in the Tha Chana district of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Somboon Arayasakul, deputy governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, said Egat could not inspect the site for the nuclear power plant and hand out information on nuclear power to people as planned.
He blamed the public resistance on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with overseas funding.
The state enterprise might have to halt plant construction if next year it still fails to connect with local people. Egat might shift to communicating with the nationwide public about the pros and cons of nuclear power, he said.
Early this year, Egat, in cooperation with a research institute, conducted an opinion poll asking about 40,000 citizens their feelings towards nuclear power plants. Most respondents supported the construction of the plants, with a few disagreeing out of safety concerns.
Egat has to speed up the delivery of a clear message to people - especially those in the 16 places listed for establishing a nuclear plant - that nuclear power is a clean energy and does not pollute the environment, he said.
Egat's survey suspension would also pave the way for the Energy Regulatory Commission, which is considering the charges for electricity from nuclear plants, to forward the charges to local residents.
If the regulator sets the rate at 5 satang per unit, the area allowing the accommodation of a nuclear power plant will receive financial support of Bt400 million a year. The funds will persuade the community to develop its area while relieving the tension, he said.
The Egat survey team, led by Pinet Sukornwan, said the villagers who prevented them from entering the area were representatives from NGOs that worked with local politicians and were backed by international NGOs.
Even if the protest is legal, the survey team is concerned about the false information being spread on nuclear power, such as claims that it is a poor investment and unsafe.

PM suggests other alternative energy sources instead of nuclear power plant
Panita Norasing
13 March 2010

BANGKOK, 13 March 2010 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva instructed the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) to review PDP 2010 project concerning nuclear power plant construction, as it was unlikely to be accepted among people.

At the EPPO Board meeting, Prime Miinister Abhisit tasked the Eneergy Ministry to review the PDP 2010 project of nuclear power plant construction. He said the project was likely to be opposed by most citizens and that would delay the whole project for a long time. The Prime Minister thus suggested the energy ministry to consider other alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and water instead.

The Energy Minister stated that the PDP 2010 plan would be adjusted for supplementary measures in case the nuclear power plant project could not start within 2022 and other fuel sources had to be brought to use instead. He added that according to the plan 10% of nuclear power would be used from the whole production system.

thainews.prd.go.th

Are they speaking about a thai version of chernovbyl?

Nuclear energy is non-expensive to produce, and is 'greener' than many alternatives.

However, the issue of dealing with waste and the eficiency needed in running nuclear energy plants is something Thailand is not ready to jump into.

He's probably right about the foreign non-governmental entities trying to stir up opposition to this proposal. Greenpeace had a booth set up way down here in Sattahip last week. Among the crap they were handing out were anti-nuclear pamphlets. Judging from the lax Thai attitude towards detail and maintenance, having a nuclear power plant here might be just like a real life Simpsons episode.

Originally Posted by chitown

that nuclear power is a clean energy and does not pollute the environment,

That is true, so if it does not pollute then it will never fly in Thailand.
Plus that, I do not think I would want to live in an area with Somchai running the mixer.

Originally Posted by Mid

The Prime Minister thus suggested the energy ministry to consider other alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and water instead.

They actually have no other resources except solar and it damn sure ain't cheap and only works at peak efficiency a few hours a day and not at all at night.

The promised economic benefits of Nuclear Energy don't ever add up.

When the full life cycle costs are taken into account Nuclear Energy shoots up the cost charts.

Not to mention that you can absolutely guarantee cost overruns on the project.

But hey, its a centrally planned, centrally executed project with lots of opportunities for 'Deals to be done'.

Originally Posted by blackgang

They actually have no other resources except solar

there is an experimental wind farm on Phuket , been there for years .

There's plenty of other energy resources available everywhere, for everyone. Any of them would be better than nuclear plants, which is the most expensive one, not sustainable, polluting (yes BG), and reinforces dependence on purveyors.

Such as :
- methane production in animal production units, or from green wastes
- wind
- solar
- waves
- geo-thermal
- sutainably managed wood,
etc...


Nuclear powers such as France, US and the Brits always try to sell their stuff to third world corrupted leaders, who just see the technological 'shine' of these contemporary glass beads the 'civilized' sell to 'savages'.

Shame on the west.

Activists press for power plant ban
28/08/2010

One hundred environmental activists from Nakhon Si Thammarat and Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday demanded a formal written declaration from the government not to build power plants in their provinces.


Senator Rosana Tositrakul (left) has an exchange at yesterday's hearing with Sriwan Eamrungroj, a PTT Plc executive vice- president for strategic planning for exploration and production and the gas business group. Ms Siriwan had asked for time to clarify some facts after Mrs Rosana criticised the company's business practices.

"We want to see a document issued by the government saying you will not build any power plants in our homes.

Otherwise, we'll ask for local activists nationwide to join us in protests," said Kornuma Pongnoi, the group leader, who successfully led protests to scrap the Hin Krut and Bo Nok power projects in those two provinces in 2002.

"If you think it is essential to build new power plants, let's do it in your backyard, or do it in your headquarters, but here in our hometowns no one wants them," Ms Kornuma told a public hearing in Bangkok on power plant development.

"If you still want to build the plants, I will ask other activists in other provinces who have similar views to join us. I would say none of the provinces in this country want power plants in their neighbourhoods."

The protesters also demand the government scrap all plans for nuclear and coal-fired power plant development and emphasise renewable energy instead.

"We chose to join this seminar because we want to announce to the public that the current power development plan should be reviewed," said Ms Kornuma.

"We want the government to remove coal-fired and nuclear power plants from the 2010 PDP (power development plan), particularly in the South of Thailand," said Prayuth Wannaprom, another leader of the group.

The seminar organised by Srinakharinwirot University ended abruptly after three hours after the protesters continued to insist on speaking out.

Speakers at the event included senior officials from the Energy Ministry, the Energy Planning and Policy Office (Eppo) and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), along with activist Senator Rosana Tositrakul.

"The government has not put enough effort into demand-side management.

If they encourage people to consume less power, there's no reason to build new power capacity," said Mrs Rosana.

She also criticised PTT Plc, the majority state-owned energy conglomerate, saying it did not want to operate its sixth gas separation plant because of the cheap fixed selling prices of liquefied petroleum gas, resulting in the need for huge amounts of imported LPG.

She also reiterated a claim she has made frequently that petrol in Thailand is too expensive because market leader PTT dictates pricing.

Egat has tentatively selected areas for nuclear and coal-fired power plants and started to narrow down its site selection process, with two provinces included on the list.

Mr Prayuth said after the seminar ended that his group needed to protest before any related contracts could be signed.

"Renewable energy is the best choice in the development of the power sector.

Even though renewable power is costly, I'd rather pay a higher power bill than use cheap fossil fuel," he said.

Eppo's coal and nuclear power plants would be subject to environmental - and health - impact assessments under Section 67 of the Constitution.

"If Thai people don't want power plants, [economic] development could not be possible either. The law gives our rights protection," said Samerjai Suksumek, the director of Eppo's power policy bureau.

He said energy policymakers had put a lot of effort into developing renewable energy in parallel with extensive energy-saving campaigns.

"The power sector is at high risk in relying too much on natural gas, as we have limited gas resources, so we need to balance resources for energy security.

But if you don't want it, who dares to force you [to accept power plants]?"

bangkokpost.com

Originally Posted by SunTzu

- solar

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...wer-plant.html

Backing for nuclear power
Watcharapong Thongrung
September 18, 2010

Energy officials and private operators renewed their support for nuclear power development in Thailand at a seminar yesterday, amid resistance from about 100 protesters from Prachuap Khiri Khan as well as their network.

At the seminar on "Thailand's exit for energy crisis" hosted by the Energy Ministry and the Senate Committee on Energy, Chavalit Pichalai, a deputy director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) and a deputy director of the Nuclear Power Programme Development Office, said Thailand was ready for the new power source.

Referring to the report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEIA), he said that Thailand was generally ready but had yet to embark on the legal, regulatory and public-participation processes that would pave the way for nuclear power development.

"The Energy Ministry is seeking adjustments to address the weak points, and submitting them to the Cabinet early next year," he said.

Amata Corp Foundation chairman Vikrom Kromdit said it was "inevitable" for Thailand to embrace a nuclear power plant, but the government must ensure safe technology, good management and fair practices to communities near the power plants.Under the Power Development Plan 2010, five nuclear plants are included with 1,000 megawatts each.

They are slated for power feeding in 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025 and 2028, respectively.

To meet the schedules, the programme implementation phase must start during 2011-2013, for the construction during 2014-2019.

nationmultimedia.com

Maybe someone should tell those Din Dongs to invest in alternatives.








Norwegian oil major Statoil ASA (STO) has agreed to invest in a San Francisco Bay Area start-up to develop ethanol from seaweed, and to potentially commercialize the fuel in Norway and other European countries.
Under the agreement with Berkeley, Calif.-based Bio Architecture Lab, Statoil would pay for the start-up's research and development costs for three years, run a seaweed farm, and build a pilot biofuels facility in Norway. Bio Architecture Lab Chief Executive Daniel Trunfio said the deal represents a "multimillion dollar" investment, although he declined to say how much. If Bio Architecture Lab's research succeeds in hitting its milestones, the oil giant could end up funding a commercial-scale facility.
"We have the technology they need and they have the balance sheet we need," Trunfio told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview.
Statoil said in an email that the project is in its infancy, and is currently being funded with a "rather modest amount."
"We find this technology interesting," a Statoil spokeswoman said.
It's not Statoil's first involvement with Bio Architecture Lab. In late 2009, Statoil's investment arm, Energy Capital Management, was one of the venture's Series A investors.
Statoil's investment is part of a wider trend among major oil companies investing in second-generation biofuels, which are experimental fuels that aren't made out of foodstuffs and that could theoretically be produced in sufficient quantities to make a significant dent in fossil-fuel consumption.
Other large oil companies are further down that road. Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), the world's largest publicly traded oil company, has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to developing micro-algae-based biofuel. Last July, London-based BP PLC (BP, BP.LN) bought its partner Verenium Corp. (VRNM)'s venture to make biofuel out of vegetable waste for $98.3 million.
Traditional biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol and soy- or palm oil-based diesel, have been criticized for requiring large amounts of land and distorting food prices. Second-generation biofuels are thought to be years away from commercial deployment, but oil companies pursue them because they see them as complementary to their extensive fossil fuel infrastructure.
Most algae-based biofuel research focuses on microscopic forms of algae, but Bio Architecture Lab seeks to use large marine plants similar to the ones normally grown in aqua farms offshore Asia for food.
After harvesting the seaweed, the venture firm set microbes to eat the algae's sugar and process it into ethanol. The operation could yield 2,000 gallons per acre of seaweed, about four times the yield of corn, said Trunfio, a former executive with Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSA, RDSB).
The company, which licensed technology developed by the University of Washington, started growing seaweed in April, and expects to have about 40 hectares' worth by February.
"We're beginning to crack the code here," Trunfio said.

Two provinces chosen for 5 nuclear power plants
Watcharapong Thongrung
September 21, 2010

Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Sawan have been selected as the principal locations for five proposed nuclear power plants, with combined capacity of 5,000 megawatts, a source from the Energy Ministry said last week.

He cited "huge" local resistance in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani, which made it impossible to locate the power plants in the two southern provinces.

Advisers Burns & Roe (Asia) earlier shortlisted Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani from 17 locations, as the two provinces could accommodate the light water reactor (LWR) technology.

However, ministry officials have so far failed to reconcile with local communities.

"By changing the location, we will need to reconsider the tech?nology choice," the source said.

Under the Power Development Plan 2010, nuclear power plants, if approved by the government, will feed power into the system from 20202028.

The new development plan will be submitted to the Cabinet early 2011 for approval.

The source also noted that if the government shows its inten?tion to proceed with nuclear power generation, it would be required to get additional budget to finance the Nuclear Power Programme Development Office, a unit under the ministry.

That would also lengthen the life of NPPDO, which is now supervised by designated permanent secretary Norkun Sitthiphong.

Set up during the Surayud Chulanont government, NPPDO was tasked to prepare for the development of nuclear power within a three year time frame.

nationmultimedia.com

Can't they get Insee Deng to sort the matter out?

Russia hails Asia ties as it eyes nuclear projects
10/31/2010

HANOI - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday invited closer ties with Southeast Asia as Moscow positions itself for lucrative nuclear projects in the energy-hungry region.

"Russia is open for such cooperation, including on the creation of various alliances," Medvedev told the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at a summit in Vietnam's capital.

Medvedev will Sunday oversee the signing of a multi-billion-euro deal to build Vietnam's first nuclear power plant, one of a number of deals aimed at reviving relations with the Soviet-era Communist ally.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, also in Hanoi, said other Asian nations are also keen on striking nuclear power deals with Russia -- which is one of the world powers racing to secure projects in Asia.

"Our partners expressed particular interest in nuclear energy, noting Russia's vast experience in this sphere," Lavrov told reporters.

An official with Russian state nuclear conglomerate Rosatom told AFP the construction of the two-unit plant, in a deal to be signed Sunday, is estimated at over 4.0 billion euros (5.6 billion dollars).

Russia is locked in a global race with competitors including the United States, Japan and France to clinch lucrative worldwide contracts as demand for nuclear energy increases.

Vietnam has approved building the country's first nuclear power stations, and initial plans call for four reactors, with a total capacity of 4,000 megawatts, at least one of which should be operational from 2020.

Lavrov also said Russia and its ASEAN partners were interested in pursuing joint projects in geothermal energy in the region.

"The prospects are quite good," he said.

The Russian president and Asian leaders also discussed "ways to create in the Asia-Pacific region a more perfect security and cooperation architecture," said the Kremlin, which regularly criticises US dominance in world affairs.

The summit adopted a joint statement in which the leaders pledged to strengthen "dialogue partnership" and political cooperation.

Lavrov said the second meeting between Russia and the ASEAN countries demonstrated the two sides had achieved a "mature, advanced partnership".

Their first summit took place in Kuala Lumpur in 2005.

Also in Hanoi, Russia accepted an invitation to join the East Asia Summit from next year, along with the US, in what analysts say is a blow to Chinese attempts to diminish US influence in the region.

The ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The EAS consists of ASEAN plus Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand.

Moscow's presence gives the EAS a more "multipolar flavour", said Carl Thayer, a Southeast Asia analyst at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

"Russia can be expected to act independently," he said. "From ASEAN's point of view this mitigates Sino-American rivalry from dominating the EAS."

abs-cbnnews.com

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011...-30148771.html

Decision on nuclear power will be for next Govt: Wannarat

By Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation
Published on February 16, 2011


The feasibility study on a national nuclearpowerplant grid will definitely not be submitted for this government's consideration, Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said yesterday.

The study was completed by Burns & Roe Asia, but the ministry still needs more information from other bodies such as the Energy Regulatory Commission, he said. Meanwhile, the law supporting the development is not yet ready.

"The new government will make a decision on whether Thailand should proceed with the nuclearpowerplant development plan," Wannarat said.

The government was earlier expected to give an answer in March on whether Thailand should proceed with the plan. Endorsement would confirm that nuclear power plants would be constructed and commence commercial operations within a specified period.

Under the Power Development Plan 2010, five nuclear plants with a combined 5,000 megawatts of capacity are foreseen, feeding power into the grid from 2020. This is part of the ministry's aim to diversify fuel risks, given that 70 per cent of power generation in the country is currently fuelled by natural gas, and the remainder by coal and hydropower.

An Energy Ministry source said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had himself told the ministry that the plan should wait for the new administration brought in after this year's general election. Officials have also been instructed to make all information ready for the incoming government.

Meanwhile, the ministry is also assigned to study a supplementary plan, in the event that the nuclearpower option is cancelled.

"Lack of support for this would create a financial problem for the Nuclear Power Programme Development Office. In this fiscal year, the office is now left with a budget of only Bt10 million. This is enough only for salary payment," the source said.

The office was established after the Surayud Chulanont government decided that the ministry should go ahead with the feasibility study. It is in charge of completing the study and educating the public about nuclear power.

The nuclearpower development programme has faced strong resistance, mainly on safety concerns. The International Atomic Energy Agency during its inspection tour in December urged the Thai authorities to speed up safety regulations, as well as personnel development and public communication.

The ministry recently shortlisted two of 17 potential sites for the nuclear plants, in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani, as the locations could accommodate the recommended lightwater reactor technology. However, locals have shown strong resistance to the plans.

Under the Power Development Plan 2010, five nuclear plants are scheduled to feed power in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027 respectively. To meet the schedule, the implementation phase must take place between this year and 2013, so that construction can begin from 2014 to 2019.

Nuclear power is expected to reduce the Kingdom's naturalgas consumption in power generation from 70 per cent to 40 per cent.

15/03/2011

Nuclear Society of Thailand former president Pricha Karasuddhi said the first set of reactors in Fukushima prefecture had not melted down. Its secondary containment only exploded and leaked radioactivity had not reached a hazardous level. The primary containment of the plant made of steel still exists.

Prof Pricha said the plant was built with old technology 40 years ago and would have been decommissioned this month. Modern technology could have prevented these problems happening at the Fukushima plant, he said.
Sunchai Nilsuwankosit, head of Nuclear Technology Development Department of Chulalongkorn University, said people should not base support or opposition to nuclear power plant decisions on their sentiment. They should consider the necessity of nuclear power plants in Thailand, their pros and cons, relevant technologies and the possibility of an earthquake of such a magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale in Thailand.

"Do not use emotion and the disaster to decide on the future of the nation," he said. "This is because it is more difficult for us to find other kinds of fuel apart from gas as there is opposition to coal too."
Norkhun Sitthipong, permanent secretary of the Energy Ministry, declined to comment and said that he would wait for clear information about damages in Japan and solutions to the problem there.

Pailin Chuchottaworn, president of IRPC which is a chemical business arm of PTT Plc, said refined oil and petrochemical prices were likely to rise as the nuclear power plant had to shut down. Japan must resort to other kinds of fuel for power generation such as liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, fuel oil and diesel.

Bangkok Post : Abhisit said to be opposed to nuclear plants

The nuclear crisis in Japan has prompted Deputy Prime Minister overseeing national security Suthep Thaugsuban to call a halt to plans to build nuclear power plants in Thailand.

"I don't want to press on with the nuclear plant construction plan as I don't want Thai people to risk their lives," Mr Suthep said, announcing the freeze on Wednesday.

He said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had instructed related agencies to monitor and assess Japan's quake-stricken atomic power plants closely.

"The nuclear situation in Japan is not worrying for Thailand as it is far away from us," he said.

Bangkok Post : Suthep halts nuclear power plan

BANGKOK, 20 March 2011 (NNT)-Former President of Nuclear society of Thailand Mr. Preecha Kalasoot said the radiation levels in Japan are still safe to human and the environment at present.

Nuclear Society of Thailand says radiation in Japan is safe : National News Bureau of Thailand

More Than 80 Percent Of Thais Against Nuclear Plant - Survey

BANGKOK, March 26 (Bernama) -- More than 80 percent of the Thai respondents disagreed with Thailand's plan to construct a nuclear power plant, according to a survey released Saturday.

Abac poll by Assumption University reported on Saturday about 83.4 percent of the respondents say no to the nuclear plant, according to Thai News Agency.

An opinion poll Thai residents' viewpoint on nuclear plant project, involving 3,807 peopled aged 18 up in 17 provinces, was conducted from March 1 to 25.

Only 16.6 percent of them supported the nuclear project, said Noppadon Kannika, the director of Abac poll.

Asked about building a nuclear plant in their respective provinces, 89.5 percent of the respondents said no, while 10.5 percent of them had no objection, the director added.

Respondents in Bangkok had the largest percentage of the objection of 95.2 percent followed by those in southern region (91. 5 percent), the central (91.1 percent), the North (90.0 percent) and the Northeast (85.8 percent), Noppadon said.

Nuclear energy is one of the energy sources Thailand is studying as to be use in the next 20 years after the fossil sources are depleted.

As concern grows after the disaster at nuclear power plants in Japan, the Thai Energy Minister admitted that the nuclear power plant project, scheduled to operate from 2020, needs more review.

bernama.com

Energy Minister: Thailand needs nuclear energy before other resouces run out
NUPPOL SUVANSOMBUT

BANGKOK, 30 March 2011 (NNT)-Energy Minister Dr. Wannarat Charnukul said energy crisis is looming if Thailand opts to go on without a nuclear power plant.

The Energy Minister said in the recent seminar on the energy for sustainable economy and society that while the news on radioactive leakage in Japan posed concerns to Thai people, the negativity toward having nuclear energy produced in the country has certainly clouded their perceptions toward the long term use. For this, Thailand is unable to develop a plan to build its own nuclear reactors.

According to Dr. Wannarat, the energy consumption in Thailand grows continuously each year, and it is likely that the country will need an energy back up plan once all the resources have been exhausted.

With non renewable resources such as coal and natural gas declining, the Energy Minister has decided to buy 25% of electricity generated by domestic producers in case neighboring nations refuse to let Thailand tap into their energy sources in the future.

The Ministry is also encouraging Thai people to rely on other resources in the form renewable energy as well as planning to develop a coal-based power production plant using clean technology.

thainews.prd.go.th

Bangkok Post : Ministry backs call to defer nuclear plants

Ministry backs call to defer nuclear plants

IAEA warns Thai public not yet ready for them

• Published: 26/04/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The Energy Ministry has proposed Thailand delay plans to have its first two nuclear power plants in 2020 by three years after the International Atomic Energy Agency said the country was not ready for the projects.

Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) secretary-general Boonsong Kerdklang said yesterday that his agency would advise the National Energy Committee at a meeting to be held tomorrow to postpone the construction of two planned 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plants.

Under its 20-year power development plan, Thailand would have five nuclear power plants with a combined generating capacity of 5,000 megawatts within five years from 2020.

Provinces that are being considered as potential sites for nuclear power plants are Trat, Chumphon, Nakhon Sawan, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Kalasin and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The first two nuclear plants were scheduled to be operational in 2020 and 2021.

Mr Boonsong said the EPPO decided the nuclear projects should be postponed after receiving advice from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Thailand was not ready to build nuclear power plants.

The IAEA assessed the criteria for Thailand's readiness for nuclear power development. It said the country still lacked public acceptance and proper laws to support the programme.

The Thai people also needed more time to accept nuclear technology in the wake of the disaster at the earthquake-and tsunami- hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex in Japan, he said.

Mr Boonsong said three 800-megawatts gas-fired power plants would be built to offset electricity from the delayed nuclear plants.

The national oil company, PTT Plc, would have to seek more gas from the Gulf of Thailand, Burma and other overseas sources, to feed the new gas-fired power plants, the EPPO secretary-general said.

Coal-fired power may not be taken into account due to strong protests from environmental activists, he said.

Santi Chokchaichamnankit, of the Nuclear Watch Project, said the nuclear power plant projects should not only be delayed, but removed from the national power development plan.

"This is not about Thailand's readiness to build nuclear power plants. We oppose the projects because there are lots of reliable studies showing that nuclear power is not a safe and environmentally-friendly technology," Mr Santi said.He called on the government to stop spending vast amounts to promote nuclear power plants by giving one-sided information to the public.

The Nuclear Power Programme Development Office was established in 2006 to oversee nuclear power plant projects.

The office has spent about 1.98 billion baht from 2007 to 2010 to conduct studies and campaign for nuclear power plant projects.

Mr Santi said the postponement of the nuclear power plant projects would only allow pro-nuclear agencies to spend more money to campaign for public support of the projects.

Meanwhile, the Network of People Against Nuclear Power Plants has said it will rally at the Vietnamese embassy in Bangkok today to protest against the Vietnamese government's planned construction of eight nuclear power plants in the country.

They are concerned the plants would have a negative impact and send harmful radiation to neighbouring countries, including Thailand.

Nuclear remains on the cards

BUSINESS »

SPECIAL
Nuclear remains on the cards


By Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation
Published on May 3, 2011



Nuclear power remains on the cards for the three political parties most likely to form the next government and set energy policies.

At the "Krungthep Turakij-Nation Forum on Election Campaigns: Sustainable Energy Security", representatives of the Democrat Party, Pheu Thai Party and Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party insisted that for energy security, nuclear power must be maintained as an option despite the disaster at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi power plant in Japan.

"I have dreamt of seeing a nuclear power plant in Thailand," said Pheu Thai's Pichai Naripthaphan. "Certainly, this needs public acceptance. Notably, in Japan, despite the disasters caused by the earthquakes and tsunami, the country admits it needs nuclear power to power household and industrial users."

Democrat Anik Amranand agreed. Nuclear power should not be ruled out following the disasters, she said. It could remain an option, but whether it would be employed would depend on public education and acceptance.

"We need to admit that while some are pursuing this option, others, particularly rural people, are against it," she said. "Certainly, if Thailand is to accommodate nuclear power plants, the best technology is a must. The legal framework must be clear and the plan must be endorsed by the public."

Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul, as the representative of Chart Pattana Puea Pandin, which has supervised the energy policy for years, noted that nuclear power was worthwhile economically and environmentally, with the lowest cost and carbon emissions. Nevertheless, he admitted the ministry could not pursue the plan without public confidence in safety measures following the disaster in Japan.

"As long as confidence is low due to concerns about the environmental impact, we cannot rush a decision. What needs to be considered is how nuclear technology can be developed to the point where public confidence is strengthened. Meanwhile, we need to take into account Japan's measures in enhancing protection efficiency," he said.

During the three-hour discussion, which was joined by academics and representatives from the private sector, Chen Namchaisiri, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, even said Japan's disasters had increased his confidence in the safety of nuclear power.

He noted that the disasters confirmed that technology would be enhanced. The new technology would be able to withstand an earthquake of 9.0 on the Richter scale. Soon, the technology would be developed to ensure the smooth operations of the cooling system, which caused havoc at Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant.

"The authorities should admit the truth that alternative energy can never be a main source of fuel," he said. "To produce 1,000 megawatts from solar cells, it requires as much as 10,000 rai as well as a huge amount of investment. It can never replace the main energy types like natural gas, coal or nuclear."

Manoon Siriwan, an energy expert, also supported nuclear power as an option, on the condition that it would be the very last option. He said the decision process needed to take into account technology, with scientifically proven results, as well as the efficiency of demand-side management (DSM).

"The government must adopt the activists' model of educating the public about nuclear power. Things will never change if it maintains the old bureaucratic methods. With this, it will fail," he said.

Weerin Wangjiraniran, a researcher at Chulalongkorn University's Energy Research Institute, said the issue now was not whether or not to have nuclear power, but to decide what would replace nuclear if it was deleted from the energy roadmap.

He admitted that alternative energy could only complement energy demand. Australia can say no to nuclear power, thanks to abundant supplies of coal. However, in Thailand, natural gas accounts for 70 per cent of fuel used for power generation, but some must be imported.

"Should something happen to the transmission pipelines, we need a backup plan. Can we allow periodic blackouts those being experienced in Japan?" he asked.

"We need to be clear on what would replace nuclear if we say no to it. Have we done our best at wooing public support? Are we clear on the environmental impact of coal-fired power plants? How will we handle the greenhouse gas emissions? How do we handle the excessive dependence on natural gas for power generation? How will all this feed through to the electricity pricing formula? The government must be clear on these issues," Weerin said.

Aside from nuclear power, hotly debated at the forum was the issue of subsidies for diesel, liquefied petroleum gas and electricity.

Chen of the FTI opposed the permanent free electricity programme for households consuming no more than 90 units a month.

"The industrial sector is not the bad guy. We have been improving our energy efficiency. To us, electricity is not for comfort, but it's the production cost," he said.

"If the government wants to help low-income earners, it should allocate a budget for this purpose. If it wants the industrial sector to help, industrial plants should be issued two bills - one for the actual electricity cost and the other as donations. Then, the donation bill should be eligible for tax deduction," he said.

He noted that subsidies were like a drug and that the addiction would cause long-term impact on the economy and lead to inefficient energy consumption. By subsidising diesel prices, the government has shown it has no confidence in the market mechanism. Goods prices should be allowed to increase when the cost rises, and they will come down naturally.

Weerin added that the energy subsidy did not promote energy efficiency. While consumers do not reduce consumption, there is no competition among business operators. Meanwhile, as fossil fuels are cheap, it would also jeopardise the government's policy on alternative energy.

"The subsidy should be a short-term measure and there must be a trigger point when it must be lifted," he said.

Manoon said the diesel subsidy had cost the government more than Bt70 billion since December 17 and there had been no positive economic results. The amount should have been used to improve energy efficiency in the transport sector.

While Wannarat said that the diesel subsidy was the right policy and that it did not go against the energy conservation plan, Democrat Anik insisted the party believed in the market mechanism.

She said the policy would only be short term, to help contain inflation. Anik noted the party had plans to improve transport sector efficiency and further reduce energy imports. She noted the burden on free electricity policy was minimal to the industrial sector.

Pichai concluded that for energy security, it needed cooperation from all parties.

"It would be wise for voters to cast their votes to a particular party. Majority votes will ensure that the winning party has a mandate to push for major policies like nuclear power or ones for alternative energy," he said.