#perceptiion

Inspirational Quote of the Day

Inspirational Quote of the Day

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/06/15/malaysia-ready-nuclear-energy/

Is Malaysia ready for nuclear energy?

MOSCOW, June 15:

Despite a need to address the public’s perception of radiation, Malaysia is primed for nuclear energy according to Rusatom Overseas, a subsidiary of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, which met with Malaysian officials last year but claim they are not the only ones looking at the small South-East Asian nation.

While it remains to be seen if Malaysia, particularly Malaysians are ready for nuclear energy, key players in the industry believe the country is ready for such a venture.

“Malaysia has a high level of readiness for nuclear technology. It is a well developed country and it has a excellent record of development,” said Rosatom Overseas business development director Anna Kudryavtseva, adding that Malaysia also has a few nuclear experts of its own.

“It has very good sites for locations of nuclear power plants compared to other countries like Indonesia, which has high levels of seismic activity,” she said, acknowledging claims that the Malaysian government was looking at multiple sites.

However, she said proper geological investigations must be carried out on these sites but that higher business development areas were preferred.

She said that because of Fukushima, the Malaysian population felt uncomfortable with nuclear power plants, but Kudryavtseva said the level of Fukushima-like accidents were not frequent and recent information showed that the level of radiation there had come down.

She also said that since Fukushima, there have been additional safety requirements, mostly passive safety requirements which can function independently of external power or interference.

“Malaysia should work more with its population to increase their level of understanding,” said Kudryavtseva.

“We understand that they need time to conduct a public assessment and understanding on nuclear (energy) and we really hope that it will be successful because we have had the same experience in different countries which are developing with good results.

“Nuclear technology is very good from a safety point of view and it has a very good safety record. I think any country would like to develop green technology but unfortunately, there has to be special conditions. Not all countries have these kinds of resources.

“From another side, all these natural kinds of energy are expensive compared to nuclear. Operation costs for nuclear power are the lowest,” she said.

Regarding nuclear waste, she said it was a critical issue for newcomers, especially those which have not developed the nuclear infrastructure but countered that Russia is the only country that accepts programmes to take back spent fuel and nuclear waste.

In that regard, she said in all probability, Russia would take back the spent fuel and nuclear waste and said technologies were being developed to reuse these radioactive by-products which will continue to be radioactive for millions of years.

“We have sites which process it and develop new fuel from them because if we do not have this technology, Russia would not accept this spent fuel and keep it forever.

“Because of that, we believe Russia’s proposal to Malaysia is a very good one.”

Economically, Kudryavtseva also claimed the nuclear energy industry would create more job opportunities as a large part of its development needs would be provided by domestic suppliers, such as the construction sector, and provide another source of taxation for the government.

“Russia is ready to invest in nuclear programmes in Malaysia, up to 49% of the cost.

“We don’t want to just come and build nuclear power plants. We propose to invest in the development together. Especially… it is interesting because of localisation programmes.

“When we build something, it means that local companies would be involved in the construction,” she said, adding that such locals could bid for 70% of the project.

“It means that 70% of all contracts will stay in the country, but of course it is for highly developed countries so it depends on what kind of country. In Malaysia it is hard to say now because we do not have much information.”

Despite the seemingly attractive offer, Malaysian authorities seem to be taking their time and although they were invited to the Atomic Energy expo Atomex in Moscow last week, no Malaysian officials turned up.

“It is clear that this is only the first discussion but of course the people who are responsible for business development of course are interested,” she said, adding that the timetable fully depended on the Malaysian side.

“We hope they can make a decision this year but I think it will be next year,” said Kudryavtseva.

On the number of nuclear power plants needed in Malaysia, Kudryavtseva said that according to their analysis, Malaysia would need six nuclear power plants which would provide over 1,000 megawatts each.

“Malaysia has excellent development of traditional kinds of energy systems like coal and gas. Nuclear would be an additional source. Not to replace. It will go slowly, like in all countries,” she said.

However, Kudryavtseva said Russia was not the only country looking to partner up for nuclear power plants here.

“From our experience, it could be different countries. It could be South Korea, it could be French, it could be China,” she said, adding that they will not move ahead in Malaysia without the Malaysian government’s involvement and although Malaysia first indicated its interest in nuclear programmes four years ago, it only renewed its interest last year.

Rosatom Overseas business development group country manager Vladimir Chuchkin said that in 2013 there was a meeting between Rosatom State Corporation director general S.V. Kirienko and the Malaysian Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry, including its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili.

never talked to him, but everyone seems to be friends with him on here so i guess he is nice haha? c: he looks like a really lovely person