Year 2009

 June

EGAT moves forwards with nuclear power
First plant could be operational by 2020

By: YUTHANA PRAIWAN

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand says its nuclear power programme will move forward as planned.

Feasibility studies on the technology should be completed by the end of next year as scheduled.

The controversial technology is seen by energy policy makers as the cleanest, most viable way to boost Thailand's energy security, despite arguments from the environmental lobby that the technology comes with high risks.

In the current 15-year power development plan (PDP), the country's first nuclear plant will start operating in 2020, said Kamol Takabut, assistant governor for EGAT, who oversees power plant engineering for the authority.

Under the PDP, the relevant state agencies have until the last quarter of 2010 to complete their feasibility studies for the 2,000-megawatt nuclear plant.

The cabinet will base its decision over whether to give the plant the green light on the results of the studies.

The studies will investigate a broad range of issues such as regulation, industrial and commercial plans, environmental impact, health and safety, technology selection, human resource development and public opinion.

The plant's proposed locations will be narrowed down to three from 14 by year-end. Which technology to select, such as a pressurised water reactor or a boiling water reactor, will also be clearer by that time, said Dr Kamol.

EGAT is currently considering sites in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chonburi and Chai Nat provinces.

The Nuclear Power Program Development Office (NPPDO) has a 1.345-billion-baht budget to carry out the studies from 2008 to 2010.

Egat provided 595 million baht of the budget, while the remaining 750 million baht came from the Energy Conservation Fund.

Constructing a nuclear power plant costs US$2,000 per kilowatt, compared to $800 for gas and $1,600 for a coal-fired power plant, said Dr Kamol.

Some 300,000 kilowatt hours are produced from a kilogramme of uranium, compared to three kilowatt hours per kilogramme of coal.

Nuclear power plants provide about 16% of total global power generation.

This article is written by Bangkok Post

30 June 2009

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