ID :
172561
Sat, 04/02/2011 - 06:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/172561
The shortlink copeid
GOVT IN NO RUSH TO CRYSTALLISE NUCLEAR PLAN
By Choong En Han
KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- Fully aware of the repercussions of Japan's nuclear fallout, the government is not in a rush to crystallise Malaysia's nuclear power plan, as its viability is still being evaluated.
"I think many countries around the world are going through a re-evaluation and we will leverage on that. The government will make a final decision when the time comes," said Prime Minister Najib Razak in an interview with Bloomberg at his office in Putrajaya Friday.
He said to make sense of the nuclear plan, the government still has to go through rigorous feasibility studies, in the wake of Japan's earthquake inflicted nuclear crisis.
"The people must be very secure about the project, and if implemented, it will be good for the country.
"The important part is to get a positive buy-in from the people," he added.
He said plans to engage the international community for feedback and implement safety features that adhere to international best practices, is on the table as well.
In December last year, the government announced the plan to build two nuclear power plants that will generate 1,000 megawatts each, with the first to be operational in 2021, and the other, a year later as part of an overall long-term plan to balance energy supply.
The government cited nuclear power as the more prominent choice in
balancing the energy source, due to lower maintenance costs and lower tariffs in the long-run.
Currently, gas accounts for 64 per cent of Malaysia's energy generation, with the remainder coming from coal.
Meanwhile, Najib also mentioned that the government is closely monitoring the planned Lynas Corporation rare earth plant in Kuantan.
"If we decide to go ahead with projects like this, we will insist that they undergo a very tough examination and satisfy all necessary safeguards," he said.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- Fully aware of the repercussions of Japan's nuclear fallout, the government is not in a rush to crystallise Malaysia's nuclear power plan, as its viability is still being evaluated.
"I think many countries around the world are going through a re-evaluation and we will leverage on that. The government will make a final decision when the time comes," said Prime Minister Najib Razak in an interview with Bloomberg at his office in Putrajaya Friday.
He said to make sense of the nuclear plan, the government still has to go through rigorous feasibility studies, in the wake of Japan's earthquake inflicted nuclear crisis.
"The people must be very secure about the project, and if implemented, it will be good for the country.
"The important part is to get a positive buy-in from the people," he added.
He said plans to engage the international community for feedback and implement safety features that adhere to international best practices, is on the table as well.
In December last year, the government announced the plan to build two nuclear power plants that will generate 1,000 megawatts each, with the first to be operational in 2021, and the other, a year later as part of an overall long-term plan to balance energy supply.
The government cited nuclear power as the more prominent choice in
balancing the energy source, due to lower maintenance costs and lower tariffs in the long-run.
Currently, gas accounts for 64 per cent of Malaysia's energy generation, with the remainder coming from coal.
Meanwhile, Najib also mentioned that the government is closely monitoring the planned Lynas Corporation rare earth plant in Kuantan.
"If we decide to go ahead with projects like this, we will insist that they undergo a very tough examination and satisfy all necessary safeguards," he said.
