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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Use of nuke power in Asean nations proposed
MANILA -- Alarmed by the mounting prices of fuel in the world market, the Heads of Asean Power Utilities/Authorities (Hapua) Council agreed to put up Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Power Grid.
One major option, which the Hapua Council recommended, is the development of the nuclear power.
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"The council recommends to concerned Asean governments to promote the development of nuclear power as an energy option to meet future electricity demand in the Asean region," the council said.
In a joint statement, all 10 member countries -- Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- as well as representatives from the Asean Center for Energy (ACE) were concerned that the soaring prices of fossil fuel in the world market have posed a strong challenge on Asean economies.
"The Hapua Council expressed its concern on the impact of this status quo on the long-term sustainability and security of power supply. While protecting the customers' interests, the council appeals to the respective government authorities to consider reasonable adjustments in the tariff. The Hapua Council stresses that the inability to sustain security of supply would be a more costly proposition in the long-term," said members of the 24th Hapua Council in the recently concluded meeting held in Cebu.
The task force created by the Department of Energy (DOE) with members comprising the representatives from the DOE, the Philippine Natural Research Institute and the National Power Corporation (Napocor) have already submitted its final recommendations to Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes on the possibility of reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
A six-man panel from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), tapped by the energy department, forwarded its final recommendations on the use of BNPP and nuclear power last week.
Aside from the creation of the Asean Power Grid, the participants also reiterated to the governments of Hapua member countries the strengthening of the support for alternative and renewable sources of energy such as geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass, wind power, solar, etc.
The Hapua Council endorsed the encouragement of demand-side management from electricity end-users.
It recommends to the governments to further accelerate all initiatives on demand-side management and energy efficiency.
The Hapua 24th Council meeting was opened by Napocor president Cyril del Callar.
Del Callar, chairperson of the Hapua Council, presided the meeting assisted by Sim Kwong Mian, managing director of SP Power Grid Singapore.
Meanwhile, the 25th Hapua Council meeting will be held in Singapore. (MSN/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (June 26, 2008 issue)
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