EGAT moves forward with nuclear power
Jun 30 - McClatchy-Tribune
Regional News - Yuthana Praiwan Bangkok Post, Thailand
> 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 percent of total global
> power generation.
>
Regional News - Yuthana Praiwan Bangkok Post, Thailand
> 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 percent of total global
> power generation.
>