Funding problem hits nuclear plan

Between 2008 and 2010, a feasibility study is scheduled to be completed along with other preparatory work. The budget for this is set at Bt1.34 billion, of which the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) will contribute Bt595 million.

The Surayud Chulanont government approved the nuclearpower project study, but the project has seen little progress since. Neither former energy minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop under the Samak Sundaravej government nor current minister Wannarat Charnnukul have gone ahead with disbursement of the budget.

There have been only two developments so far: the establishment of the NPPDO and the signing of a contract between Egat and Burns and Roe Asia to conduct the threeyear feasibility study.

In addition, the ministry might review the Power Development Plan (PPP) in order to reduce electricity capacity to match declining growth in gross domestic product. This may also lead to a delay in nuclearpower plant construction, which is currently scheduled for between 2014 and 2019.

According to the 15year PPP covering 2007 to 2021, Thailand is expected to build two nuclearpower plants with a combined capacity of 4,000 megawatts. Egat has been chosen as the investor and operator of both plants, which will require about Bt400 billion to build.