While the development of an atomic power plant in Thailand is still far from becoming a reality, nuclear technology will play a larger role in the medical, industrial and agricultural sectors in the near future, says Rosatom, Russia's state atomic energy corporation.
The company, which is cooperating with Thailand-based engineering equipment maker Kinetics Corporation and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), conceded Thailand's power development plan does not foresee the introduction of nuclear power to the grid earlier than 2036.
"Southeast Asian countries, with their rapid economic growth and subsequent increase in energy demand, will benefit from nuclear power. Especially if you consider commitments to cut back carbon footprints as expressed at COP21, nuclear is basically the only baseload option with almost zero CO2 emissions," said Egor Simonov, director of Rosatom Southeast Asia.
"Public sentiment is not likely to be as much of a stumbling block to acceptance of nuclear power as the lack of a clear government position."
In July 2010, a group of Thai organisations evaluated nuclear infrastructure according to 19 key elements. A lack of human resources and government commitment were flagged, but not public acceptance, the group said.
He said industry safety levels have markedly improved since the Fukushima disaster in 2011.
While widespread use of nuclear technology for power generation is not necessarily in the cards for Thailand, Rosatom is pushing for the introduction of nuclear technology in medicine, industry and agriculture.
In September Rosatom and Kinetics announced their partnership to supply a cyclotron complex with radiochemical laboratories for the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology. Kinetics, which has supplied engineering and scientific equipment to the Thai market for more than 30 years, will serve as a general contractor.
"This is not an investment project for us. Rosatom supplies primary technological solutions that will be at the heart of the facility and will conduct training of the Thai personnel," said Mr Simonov.
The facility resulting from the project will be located at the Ongkharak Nuclear Research Centre in Nakhon Nayok, and span more than 5,400 square metres.
The project already employs a number of subcontractors, including Thai civil construction companies.
"Rosatom is committed to substantial engagement with local companies on these projects," he said.
The percentage of Thai workers to be employed at the facility is so far unkonwn.
"We are building this facility to be owned and operated by the Thai Institute of Nuclear Technologies. They will determine the composition of the workforce to operate it and conduct the R&D activities," said Mr Simonov.
The new complex will accommodate a cyclotron and several laboratories for the production of radio-pharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine and other purposes, as well as serve as a platform for R&D, according to a September statement by Rosatom.
The system will produce, among other things, isotopes for PET and SPECT diagnoses, which can be used to determine the stage of oncological, cardiac and neurological diseases.
It will also serve as a platform to develop local experts in nuclear technology.
In Southeast Asia, Rosatom already offers nuclear solutions in the agricultural sector, such as food sterilisation, which increases the shelf life of products and makes them safer for consumers.
"This technology is quite widely used in Thailand," he said.
Rosatom is a Russian government corporation involved in the production of nuclear weapons. One of the company's main missions is to "maintain Russia's defence interests".
Asked whether its involvement in Southeast Asia had the potential to stir up tensions between the US and Russia, Mr Simonov said the company is focusing exclusively on peaceful uses of nuclear technologies in its international operations.
"The project we are developing in Thailand has no geopolitical agenda," he said.
Moreover, Rosatom has a history of collaborating with China in nuclear power industry projects, said Mr Simonov.
"We constructed the Tianwan nuclear power plant in China with two power units, which was commissioned 10 years ago, and the construction of two more power units is under way," he said.