Go for solar power, not nuclear energy

Thestar: Thursday June 25, 2009

AHMAD SHADZLI ABDUL WAHAB,
Director, Global Renewable Energy Network (GREEN),
Bangi, Selangor.

I READ with utmost concern of TNB’s plan to implement the first nuclear plant by 2025, as reported in the Star on June 23. My immediate question is, has TNB made any detailed study on the viability of solar energy before deciding on nuclear power plant (NPP)?
For TNB to invest RM6.9 billion to build a 1,000 MW station is way too expensive. Let us be mindful that this is already the cheapest option if the Chinese design is used. It will cost even more (RM13.9 billion) if the US design is used. The move will certainly add financial strain to the already cash–strap TNB, and what is even more worrying is putting public safety at a high risk due to possible nuclear fallout should an accident happen.
The cost mentioned does not even include other costs in running the NPP, such as the disposal of nuclear fuel and other hidden costs associated with the safety and security of its plant. Malaysia is just a small country, and any nuclear fallout would certainly affect almost the entire population of Asean countries.
On the contrary, studies made by Pusat Tenaga Malaysia (PTM) and its IEA international consultant have shown that solar Photovoltaic offers a more viable and environmentally friendly option.
It is estimated that 6,500 MW power can be generated by using only 40% of nation’s house-roof tops (2.5 million houses) and 5% of commercial buildings alone. The cost of solar PV system is continuing to decrease and solar energy experts have forecasted that grid parity is expected to be reached by 2015, which means the cost of electricity generated by solar PV is competitive with the cost of electricity generated from conventional energy resources such as gas, coal, oil and nuclear.
Malaysia is not only blessed with plenty of solar energy but we are also endowed with huge reserves of sand – some of which can be used as basic raw material to make solar cells. Already a huge silicon ingot-making factory is being planned to be set up in Sarawak.
Thus, Malaysia has all the basic ingredients to use this huge potential of solar energy for future electricity needs. From China to Europe and across America, utility companies and governments are focusing more towards increasing renewable energy contributions to its energy mix, but TNB is doing otherwise.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is considering several applications from private investors to build several hundreds of MW of solar PV power plants to meet the ever increasing energy needs in the country.
Obviously, opting for nuclear power station is going to be a financial nightmare not only to TNB but to the taxpayer’s money as well. From the point of national security, nuclear power plant poses even greater risk not only due to possible accident but it is also an easy target for terrorist attack. The risks are just overwhelming.
The way forward for Malaysia now is to go in big way for solar power, not nuclear.
AHMAD SHADZLI ABDUL WAHAB,
Director, Global Renewable Energy Network (GREEN),
Bangi, Selangor.