Malaysia to use nuclear power by 2025

Malaysia was set to use alternative energy from nuclear power by 2025 as it was a cheaper source of power in the long run, according to a local newspaper on Wednesday.

The New Straits Times quoted Malaysian Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof as saying that initial costs of building nuclear plants may be one billion U.S. dollars to 3 billion U.S. dollars for a 1,000 megawatt capacity, twice the amount for building a coal-fired plant in the country.

Malaysia currently generates electricity mainly from coal, oil, gas and hydro. Fadillah said that nuclear energy was a cheaper and environmental-friendly source of power with no pollutant produced in the long run.

He said that the nuclear power would produce hydrogen that can be used and it would only produce waste after 20 years of usage.

He said that advantages of using nuclear energy included in hospitals for Computerized Tomography or CT scans and in food technology, adding that some countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam would also opt to develop nuclear power.

Fadillah said that some government agencies of Malaysia were working on forming a committee to implement the nuclear energy policy, as approved by the Malaysian Cabinet two weeks ago.

He said that Malaysia would engage professionals and consultants for advise on nuclear power, while linking up with the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency for verification and certification on the policy.

He also said that his ministry would embark on a public awareness campaign to dispel people’s negative perception and doubts on the safety of nuclear energy.

Source: China View