On Oct 30, the cabinet approved draft plan to set up an infrastructure for nuclear power generation.
Science and Technology Minister Prof Dr Yongyuth Yuthawongse said that the plan was only for the infrastructure for Thailand's future nuclear power, including preparation of manpower and an administrative office. It was not a decision to build nuclear power plants as that would be up to the next governments, he said.
The cabinet approved the plan in principle, and appointed a committee to prepare a feasibility study on nuclear power generation. It also gave its approval to set up an office for nuclear power project development under the Ministry of Energy. A budget of 1,800 million baht is to be allocated from the Energy Conservation (ENCON) Fund for implementation of the plan in the first three years (2008-2010), which includes the setting up of the office, formulating laws, a regulatory system, commercial and industrial structure plans, a nuclear safety plan, environmental protection, public relations and acceptance. Public hearings are to be held at least 8 times in 6 months to raise public understanding and participation.
The cabinet approved the proposal to temporarily use the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) Act which will soon be deliberated by the National Legislative Assembly for the regulatory system. The Energy Ministry and Science and Technology Ministry will formulate laws on regulatory systems, standards, safety and relevant issues.
"Now we have rudimentary principles of the laws such as warning systems. Issues that need further consideration include, for example, technologies and locations. The Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) Act concerns radioactive substances, import and export, and regulations, but it's of no use. The next government needs to pass a more solid law. The current government is not doing it [the law], because the next government will make the decision, which may or may not be in favour of nuclear power," said the Science Minister.
The draft Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) Act will be considered by the NLA on Oct 31.
PM's Office Deputy Spokesperson Chotechai Suwannaporn said that the cabinet approved the proposal of the National Energy Policy Committee to set up Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) International Co Ltd for overseas investments, and also approved an increase in power purchased from Lao from 5,000MW to 7,000MW.
The cabinet also approved the draft power purchase agreements for Nam Theun 1, Nam Ngum 3, Nam Ngiep, and Theun-Hinboun Extension hydropower projects in Lao, and approved EGAT's renewable energy power plant development plan, which has a combined capacity of 81.7MW and a budget of 4,826 million baht.
Translated by Ponglert Pongwanan
