Wannarat back nuclear power despite slide in first plant launch

It is necessary for Thailand to postpone its nuclear power programme for now, said Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul following the National Energy Policy Council's decision to delay the commercial commencement of the first nuclear power plant from 2020 to 2023.

Despite the decision of the NEPC, chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Wannarat insisted that nuclear power was worthwhile economically and environmentally, with the lowest cost and carbon emissions.

Nevertheless, he admitted the ministry could not pursue the plan without public confidence in safety measures following the disaster in Japan.

"As long as confidence is low due to concerns about environmental impact, we could not rush a decision. What needs to be considered is how nuclear technology can be developed to the point where public confidence is strengthened. Mean-while, we need to take into account Japan's measures in enhancing protection efficiency," he said while attending a Nation Group seminar.

Many countries are reviewing their nuclear policies, and Thailand still needs further reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency, he added.

The delay of the first plant will push the fifth plant out of the Power Development Plan 2010 (2011-2030). The Nuclear Power Programme Development Office has nevertheless been assigned to continue with the campaign to prepare for nuclear power as well as to promote public confidence.

In a move widely considered as a vote-buying campaign, the council also approved the five-year power-price formula (2011-2015), which in effect will provide free electricity to households consuming fewer than 90 units monthly. The burden will be shared by all other users, except households and small businesses.

While offering free power to some, the agency is pursuing power reduction schemes. It approved the 20-year energy conservation framework, which targets reducing energy consumption in all sectors by 30 million tonnes of crude oil equivalent per annum by 2030, which will reduce energy imports by Bt400 billion per annum.

The NEPC also endorsed the extension of subsidies on natural gas at Bt2 per kg by three months, or until the end of September. Subsidies on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will also be maintained for household and transportation use, but starting from July the LPG price for industrial use will be adjusted by Bt12 per kg for a 12-month period.

An adjustment of Bt3 per kg will take place on a quarterly basis. The Energy Policy and Planning Office will later submit the price adjustment plan to the council.

It also endorsed agreements to purchase power from the 440MW Nam Ngum 3 hydropower project and the 289MW Nam Ngiep project in Laos, which will start commercial operations in January 2017 and 2018, respectively.