Nuclear energy could be used in future
The Star (27/5/08): A comprehensive paper on the use of nuclear energy in the country is being prepared by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.
Its deputy minister Fadillah Yusof said the paper, which was jointly produced with the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry, would look into all aspects including environmental protection and security, and even the possibility of using nuclear energy in the future.
"Under our national policy on energy, which was drawn up in 1979, nuclear energy is not included as one of the sources for the generation of electricity.
"At present, we are focusing too much on coal, gas and petrol to generate our electricity while hydro power tends to destroy a lot of the environment," he told Dr Che Rosli Che Mat (PAS - Hulu Langat) in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
With the present energy crisis and the increase in the greenhouse gases, added Fadillah, there might come a time when Malaysia might have to use nuclear energy.
As a comparison to burning petrol and gas for electricity, he said nuclear energy was generally clean and that "one nuclear rod" could last up to 20 or 30 years.
He also told Razali Ibrahim (BN - Muar) that as of December last year, there were 74 nuclear plants being plannned for construction in countries like China, Japan and South Korea.
"Within Asean, countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are now considering using nuclear energy. Even countries in the Middle East are thinking of it, among which are Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Egypt," he pointed out.
Earlier, Fadillah said Malaysia was ready to harness nuclear power for its electricity needs.
"We have 150 scientists, 50 of whom have PhD specifically in the study of nuclear science and energy, while others have at least a master’s degree.
"Currently, we have a nuclear energy plant in Dengkil which is capable of generating 1 megawatt of electricity, but this is mainly for scientific research," he said.
Its deputy minister Fadillah Yusof said the paper, which was jointly produced with the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry, would look into all aspects including environmental protection and security, and even the possibility of using nuclear energy in the future.
"Under our national policy on energy, which was drawn up in 1979, nuclear energy is not included as one of the sources for the generation of electricity.
"At present, we are focusing too much on coal, gas and petrol to generate our electricity while hydro power tends to destroy a lot of the environment," he told Dr Che Rosli Che Mat (PAS - Hulu Langat) in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
With the present energy crisis and the increase in the greenhouse gases, added Fadillah, there might come a time when Malaysia might have to use nuclear energy.
As a comparison to burning petrol and gas for electricity, he said nuclear energy was generally clean and that "one nuclear rod" could last up to 20 or 30 years.
He also told Razali Ibrahim (BN - Muar) that as of December last year, there were 74 nuclear plants being plannned for construction in countries like China, Japan and South Korea.
"Within Asean, countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are now considering using nuclear energy. Even countries in the Middle East are thinking of it, among which are Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Egypt," he pointed out.
Earlier, Fadillah said Malaysia was ready to harness nuclear power for its electricity needs.
"We have 150 scientists, 50 of whom have PhD specifically in the study of nuclear science and energy, while others have at least a master’s degree.
"Currently, we have a nuclear energy plant in Dengkil which is capable of generating 1 megawatt of electricity, but this is mainly for scientific research," he said.
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