Public understanding vital before embarking on nuclear power programme

While the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has certified Malaysia's readiness to "make an informed decision" on introducing nuclear power, there remains a question mark over whether the public is ready to embrace this particular alternative energy source.

Many are haunted by the disaster that struck the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan in March 2011 following a massive earthquake and tsunami, as well as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine where an accident in 1986 caused radiation-related fatalities.

According to ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) executive director Dr Sanjayan Velautham, safety issues remained the public's top concern when it came to nuclear activities.

Pointing out that nuclear reactor accidents have long been asserted as "low-probability high-consequence" events, he said some people were, still, disinclined to accept the risks, however low the probability of such a disaster occurring.

Speaking to Bernama on the sidelines of the Eighth Annual Nuclear Power Asia Conference, here recently, he said before any country decides to use or build their nuclear energy plant, they must first abide by the IAEA guidelines which cover the crucial "3S", namely safety, security and safeguards.

The agency, he added, has also developed the "IAEA Milestones Approach" to assist countries that are considering or planning to build their first nuclear power plant.

"This 'Milestones Approach' is (drawn up to provide guidance on the activities that need to be carried out) for the purpose of developing an adequate infrastructure to support a nation's nuclear power programme," he said.

The Nuclear Power Asia conference was organised by Clarion Events, co-hosted by Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation and co-organised by Malaysian Nuclear Agency with the support of Korean Nuclear Energy Agency and National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

In her opening speech at the conference, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri had said that the IAEA's Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission has already assessed Malaysia's infrastructure development for a nuclear power programme and it concluded that the nation was "thoroughly prepared and has developed a considerable base of knowledge to make an informed decision about introducing nuclear power".

She said the mission's final report, which IAEA had delivered to her earlier this month, would be presented to the Cabinet soon.

The agency's INIR missions evaluate its member nations' status and state-of-readiness in developing nuclear power programmes.

The INIR teams' findings are expected to assist the nations concerned to develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help the development of the national nuclear infrastructure.

One of the major public concerns hovering over the implementation of a nuclear programme is its radioactive waste which might be harmful to humans and the environment.

Sanjayan, however, said the nuclear industry has already set in place safe measures to manage all categories of radioactive waste, identified as low-level waste (LLW), intermediate-level waste (ILW) and high-level waste (HLW).

He said a large portion (97 per cent) of the volume of waste produced consisted of LLW and ILW that are disposed of securely in near-surface repositories in many countries so as to cause no harm or risk in the long term.

This practice, he added, has been carried out for many years as a matter of routine in countries such as the United States, France, Canada, South Korea and China.

As for HLW, the amount produced is, in fact, still small in relation to the wastes produced in other industrial sectors, he said.

"HLW is currently safely contained and managed in interim storage facilities, which provide an appropriate environment to contain and manage such waste.

"These facilities also allow for the heat and radioactivity of the waste to decay prior to long-term geological disposal," he explained.

Countries like the US, Canada, France and Finland were currently conducting research and development (R&D) to develop the ultimate repository or geological disposal for their HLW, said Sanjayan.

Other countries like China and South Korea were involved in R&D efforts to reprocess their spent fuel to minimise the waste volume and reuse it (spent fuel) in their nuclear power plant, he added.

NOT A COMPETITOR

Stressing that nuclear is not in competition with other energy sources, Sanjayan said it was, however, important for a country to consider multiple sources to balance their energy mix and maintain long-term energy security.

He said nuclear energy could make a major contribution to mitigating the effects of climate change, and enhancing energy security and economic development.

According to the World Nuclear Association, he said, the capital cost of setting up a nuclear power plant ranged from US$1,550 (RM6,851) per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to more than US$5,000/kWh, depending on the country where it was being built.

"The operational cost of a nuclear power plant is lower compared to other alternatives, which results in competitive electricity prices. However, the country's economic condition is also an important aspect to be considered before the government makes the 'go nuclear' decision," he said, adding that different countries have different approval processes on nuclear assessment.

He said in South Korea, the relatively high cost of developing other alternative energy sources has benefitted its nuclear power industry's competitiveness, while in India and China, their rapidly growing energy needs have encouraged the development of all energy options, including nuclear.

LONG-TERM ENERGY SECURITY

Sanjayan also said that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant issue had increased public concerns over the usage of nuclear energy, which led to several countries reconsidering their nuclear plans.

"However, some countries such as China, United Arab Emirates, Argentina and South Korea are still on track and are going ahead with their plans to construct nuclear power plants for the sake of energy security."

He said where ASEAN was concerned, each member state has its own unique approach and view on how to develop their energy policy and roadmap, with the inclusion of nuclear.

"ASEAN members have common reasons to go for nuclear energy," he said, adding that among them were the long-term energy security it offered and to fulfil their energy requirements in tandem with their respective economic development plans.

"They (member nations) also find nuclear economically competitive and a reliable energy source. It's also in line with their carbon dioxide reduction target, as well as reduce their dependency on energy imports."

The ASEAN member states, through the Nuclear Energy Cooperation Sub-sector Network, are also cooperating with their dialogue partners and international organisations such as Japan Atomic Energy Agency, China General Nuclear Power Group and Korea Nuclear Association for International Cooperation to learn from their experiences and enhance their knowledge and capacity in preparing, handling and managing their own future nuclear programmes. - BERNAMA