Decision on nuclear sites draws near

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Decision on nuclear sites draws near

Published: 12/02/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Proposed sites for the country's first nuclear plant will be shortlisted this year before being considered for cabinet approval. Assistant governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) Kamol Takabut yesterday said the 14 sites would be narrowed down to five under a feasibility study undertaken by Burns and Roe Co signed last October. The process is expected to be completed by May 2010.

''We will possibly have the final five locations for the nuclear plant this year,'' Mr Kamol said. ''For the next step, we will choose three for the cabinet's approval by 2010.''

Thailand plans to build at least four 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plants by 2023.

Eleven of the locations being considered are in areas from Chumphon to Nakhon Si Thammarat, one in Nakhon Sawan and two in Chon Buri.

The feasibility study covers power consumption trends, technology and safety standards, the impact on the environment, reactor types and suitable locations.

Construction of nuclear power plants is a controversial topic worldwide due to waste management issues.

But Mr Kamol played down the concerns, saying: ''We require about 25 tonnes of nuclear fuel a year, which is not a big amount. [Disposing of] the used nuclear fuel will be the responsibility of the seller.''

Permanent secretary for science and technology Suchinda Chotipanich said educating the public about nuclear issues was important. At the community level, the responsibility falls to the Energy Ministry, according to Ms Suchinda.

Taweepol Sookiri, chief of Tong Prunk village in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Sichon district, which is a possible site for the plant, voiced concern over the construction which could affect their way of life. Villagers did not welcome the project, he said.

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Writer: APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

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harpreet

Discussion 4 : 12/02/2009 at 02:58 PM4
The comment that the sellers should take the responsibility of disposing the waste just shows how much Mr. Kamol cares about the environment.
How about if the seller decided to dispose the waste in your backyard Mr. Kamol?
Mark

Discussion 3 : 12/02/2009 at 12:16 PM3
Where's Green Peace when you need them?
Des

Discussion 2 : 12/02/2009 at 12:12 PM2
This is what scares me. IMO, I dont think Thailand is ready for this. They will probably hire some undertrained staff and what we get is a nuclear holocaust.

Few years back, they can't even maintain proper mining for the cobalt mines. Now nuclear?

Let me predict whats going to happen. Some corrupt government officials will take bribes, and instead of making a solid concrete reinforced with lead, he'll probably use concrete bricks with some lead lining instead. Look at Suvarnabhumi airport - poor design, cracked runway... etc... Keyword is cracked: imagine a crack at the nuclear plant.

Seeing how Thai people dispose their garbage - dump sites and burning of garbages one can imagine the nuclear waste, .. umm.. a dumpsite in some remote villate?...

It is typical - as a Thai, I will have to say - Thais do not have long term vision. We don't plan ahead. We think, we like, we copy. Its in our blood.

One thing tho, I'd like to know WHERE WILL THEY DISPOSE THE WASTE??
Somboon

Discussion 1 : 12/02/2009 at 04:25 AM1
Someone must be paying a real serious attention to Kamol and EGAT. What have he got to gain from this? Burn and Roe's proposed Study Report, Feasibility Studies, Recommendations, etc. must be seriously scrutinized by people with knowledge. I worked for a well-known international American company, with office and its subsidiary in Bangkok, and I have read their reports. They were so swell and rosy, but really not much to substantiate the claim. They wrote what the Thai government want to see and hear.

Nuclear power plants in Thailand are like time bombs. If the government cannot maintain clubs, roads, traffic, constuction, etc., how does one expect them to maintain not one but four nuclear power plants? What to do with the waste? To keep the waste, it costs lots and lots of money. Look at the Nevada nuclear waste site. Now, in hundred of billion dollars and it is not done yet. On top of that the State of Nevada itself no longer wants it! There are other issues. Kamol must be getting something in return. Where does he live? May be he should consider put it in his own backyard.

Rancho Seco in Sacramento, California, was shut down several years ago by the people thorough referdum because it was dangerous and there is no sign of it coming back.

What about the green energy alternatives. Solar is yearround in Thailand. Off the Barstow in California, there is a big solar site. Why does anyone in Thailand take a look at it? The cost is becoming cheaper and cheaper because President Obama pushes it to.

Decision on nuclear sites draws near