Every now and then statements are made on the possibility of nuclear energy taking part in the task of electricity generation in Malaysia. It has been the last option for many many years. As current resources are dwindling, it is becoming more imperative that nuclear energy should be introduced.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has spoken positively about it. Both the prime minister and his deputy also have spoken about it in the same tone. It was included in the budget speech for 2009 that the country is exploring its use. Today, the Minister responsible for energy said that the country will use nuclear for electricity production by 2023 as global supplies of natural gas and coal deplete (The Star, page 29, 20 September 2009). There is a sense of urgency in the tone of the speech: "...the increase in coal price had been exceptional and we need to act now."
He is reported to have also said that the Government was left with no choice but to use nuclear energy as it was the better alternative (compared to other sources).
It was reported that the price of coal in June was USD70 (RM242) per tonne. Today it triples that figure, hovering between USD140 (RM485) and USD180 (RN623) per tonne.
The rising cost of oil makes the cost of transportation to also increase. Certainly this contributes to the increasing cost of coal, which is transported from the source to the power stations.
2023 is exactly 15 years from today, the magic figure that is estimated to be the duration needed to put everything in place for the introduction of nuclear energy.
In the meantime, the Malaysian Nuclear Society (MNS), together with the Mlaysian Nuclear Agency is organizing an International Nuclear Conference, 29 June - 01 July 2009 in Kuala Lumpur with the theme "Strengthening Partnership in Nuclear Energy." More details on the conference, which is dubbed as INC'09, could be found at http://online.nuclearmalaysia.gov.my/sems/inc09.
