SINGAPORE, Aug 22 (AFP): Nuclear safety issues are expected to feature prominently in talks among Southeast Asian ministers here Thursday as more countries look to nuclear as an alternative energy amid soaring oil prices, diplomatic sources said.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) energy ministers will hold the one-day meeting-first among themselves and then with counterparts from China, Japan and South Korea.
Energy ministers from Australia, India and New Zealand will join the meeting later in the day, the Singapore government said in a statement.
Diplomatic sources said a key topic will be safety issues following a move by several countries in the region to build nuclear plants to meet growing electricity needs and reduce dependence on oil and natural gas.
Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand have announced plans to tap nuclear energy, but environmentists have warned about safety risks as the region does not have the expertise to operate such plants and deal with nuclear waste disposal.
Kurujit Nakornthap, Thailand's deputy permanent secretary of energy, told an ASEAN energy business forum here Wednesday that Thailand plans to generate 4,000 megawatts of nuclear power by 2020.
The decision to include atomic energy in its long-term development plan was made because nuclear energy is recognised as efficient, cost- effective and emitting no Co2 (carbon dioxide).
To address risk concerns, Kurujit said the government needs seven years from 2007 to develop safety standards, establish the regulatory framework and train the necessary personnel.
Nuclear energy safety on top of ASEAN energy ministers' agenda
FE Team | Published: August 23, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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