Nuclear gets green light

Nuclear power will be one of the key fuels used in electricity production over the next 15 years under the national power development plan (PDP) approved yesterday.

The National Energy Policy Council yesterday approved one of the nine options proposed for the period from 2007 to 2021, focusing on diversifying the fuels used for electricity production from coal and natural gas to nuclear power.

Implementation will be split into three stages. The first, from 2007-10, will focus on output from four new plants of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat). The second stage, from 2011-15, will acquire electricity from independent power producer (IPP) plants, of which 5,600 megawatts will be generated from natural gas, 2,100 MW from coal and 800 MW from small power producer (SPP) plants.

The third stage, from 2016-21, will produce 17,300 MW, including 4,000 MW from nuclear power.

Bangkok Post

Last Updated : Tuesday April 10, 2007