When it comes to Hawai‘i’s energy future, one option not under consideration is nuclear power. But that’s an idea that’s been discussed for some time in Malaysia—with a few recent developments. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
Malaysia’s energy future may or may not include nuclear power.
It’s been more than six years since the government agreed to consider the nuclear option as part of the country’s electricity picture after the year 2020. There’s been a lot of discussion since then, but no commitments to the construction of a nuclear power plant. Just that possibility has drawn international interest from both companies and governments. Russia was the latest to weigh in this past week.
Malaysia’s government news agency says Russia’s Minister of Economic Development offered his country’s expertise if authorities in Kuala Lumpur decide to go ahead with atomic energy. While that decision is pending, Malaysia does have a Nuclear Power Corporation looking at the legal framework that would be needed for such a program.
Earlier this year, the head of that group said much more public engagement is needed before any decision. Earlier this summer, a national survey found a good deal of skepticism about the use of nuclear power - as well as the government’s ability to safely regulate it. A study by an energy industry group found that Malaysians confident with the government’s ability to regulate nuclear technology was just over 2% of those surveyed.
