KUALA LUMPUR: MALAYSIA will not use nuclear power plants to generate energy, as science has yet to find ways to manage nuclear waste and the effects of radiation, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Dr Mahathir said there had been numerous incidents related to nuclear use worldwide, such as in Chernobyl, Ukraine, and the latest in Fukushima, Japan, which led to people suffering from radiation.
Malaysia, he said, would continue to rely on fuel sources to generate electricity, such as fossil fuel, coal, hydroelectric dams and wind power, which he said were stable and environment-friendly.
“There are two things that I am against. Smokers are not allowed to come near me and nuclear is not the solution to generating electricity,” he said in his keynote address at the launch of the Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry 2018 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here yesterday.
Present were Energy, Science, Technology, Climate Change and Environment Minister Minister Yeo Bee Yin and Tenaga Nasional Bhd chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie.
Dr Mahathir said the country’s fifth and sixth prime ministers might have agreed to nuclear energy, but remarked that “now I am back”.
He said despite advancements in science, a solution to nuclear radiation and waste had yet to be discovered. He said it was based on these factors that Malaysia rejected the use of nuclear energy despite it being cheaper than fossil fuel.
Malaysia, he said, had a “bad experience” with amang, a type of irradiated ore once used to make colour televisions.
“Amang needs to be activated before it is used. This, however, led to problems in the form of residue, which is radioactive.
“The radiation effects triggered fear among the people. We don’t want a repeat of this. Eventually, we agreed to bury this substance in an area which was 1 sq km large.
“We had to bury it under thick cement to prevent the radiation from affecting people.”
He said Malaysia lost 1 sq km of land as the area was still not safe, which also led to losses in terms of areas meant for development.
Dr Mahathir also touched on developments in the transportation sector, and said the price of electric cars could be double that of conventional vehicles.
One of the issues in the electric car market, he said, was the durability of the batteries, which as of now, could only power the vehicle for a maximum of 200km on a full charge.
“We could perhaps merge ICE (internal combustion engine) and an electric-based engine to tackle the battery durability issue.
“These are all in the research and development phase, so I hope it
will be successful, thus helping Malaysia enter a new automotive industry era,” he said.
‘Disruptive tech the way to go’
Policy-makers have been urged to re-examine their regulatory framework to
make way for more disruptions in the energy industry towards ensuring economic viability, energy security and conservation of the environment.
“The advancement in key energy technologies will require policymakers in our respective jurisdiction to take a deeper look at the role of their regulatory framework in adapting to disruptions in the energy industry,” Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie said in his welcoming address to about 2,000 attendees at the Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) 2018 yesterday.
Leo said technological development had transformed the industry landscape from mostly mechanical systems into data-centric, digital and cyberphysical systems.
“Even the traditional vertically integrated power utilities are now learning the use and effects of these emerging technologically-driven horizontal forces. We see the megatrends and disruptive technologies bring many new and exciting opportunities.
“However, technology also creates new participants that can accelerate and change the industry landscape in meeting new expectations of customers for better services at competitive rates. As such, the industry needs to embrace technologies and breakthrough ideas.
“The advancement in key energy technologies will require policy makers in our respective jurisdiction to re-examine the role of their respective regulatory framework. Taken together, the use of new technology and appropriate regulatory framework are tools to achieve the goals of energy sustainability.”
The three-day CEPSI 2018, themed “Reimagining the Utility of the Future”, is held for the first time in Malaysia after 22 years. It ends tomorrow.
‘Electricity reform agency to be set up’
The electricity industry is set to undergo a transformation through the implementation of the Malaysia Electricity Supply Industry (MESI) 2.0 reforms aimed at enhancing the domestic electricity supply industry.
Energy, Science, Technology, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the government would set up a special agency called MyPower Corp to roll out the initiative.
She said the agency, comprising 10 to 20 energy industry experts, would operate only for 36 months following the conclusion of MESI 2.0.
“The government will act as a driver, but the prime movers of this transformation are the local experts and professionals.
“Meetings and discussions will be held with stakeholders to assist the government in implementing this,” Yeo said at a press conference after the launch of the Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry 2018 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here yesterday.
Present were Tenaga Nasional Bhd chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie and president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azman Mohd.
“Through MESI 2.0, we aim to achieve three objectives — to increase industry efficiency, regulate industry structure and key processes, and empower consumers.
“Upon completion of the reforms, we expect the market structure to be more transparent and efficient, as well as have more costly tariffs based on market conditions,” Yeo said.
Additional reporting by Luqman Arif Abdul Karim