Malaysia approves plans for first nuclear power plant

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia has approved plans for its first nuclear power plant to begin operations in 2021 to help meet rising energy needs, a minister said Tuesday.

The economic council gave the go-ahead to identify possible sites for the plant, Energy Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui said.

"Building the first plant needs a lead time of at least 10 years," he was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper. "We need to look at the safety aspects, human resources and the location."

He said final approval would have to be given by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Malaysia currently relies on fossil fuels and hydroelectric power.

"Nuclear energy is the only viable option toward our long-term energy needs," Chin said. "Our energy mix is rather unhealthy. We are depending too much on coal and oil."

He said the technology and expertise for the plant would likely come from South Korea, China, France or Japan.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/321891,malaysia-approves-plans-for-first-nuclear-power-plant.html.