Govt studying nuclear energy potential, in line with cleaner energy mix, says Fadillah

The Star

4 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya is mulling a phased approach to introducing nuclear energy as part of the national energy mix, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof ( pic ).
The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister said that this was in line with the country's target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
'Nuclear energy has been identified as a potential technology for providing a clean and stable baseload energy source, supporting the increasing electricity demand and the energy transition from fossil fuel usage.
'The government will focus on a comprehensive assessment of the nation's readiness in terms of policy, technical, institutional, legal, safety, human resource development, economic aspects, and public awareness,' he said in a written parliamentary reply on Thursday (July 24).
He was responding to a question from Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN-Kubang Pasu) who had asked the government to state the current policy on nuclear energy as part of the national energy mix and hydrogen energy under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
Fadillah said that MyPower has been appointed to act as the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO) in accordance with IAEA recommendations for countries intending to introduce nuclear energy as a source of electricity generation.
'MyPower will serve as the main coordinating agency for the development of the national nuclear energy program and is currently undertaking various initiatives,' he said.
The initiatives included developing policies and strengthening the legal framework, conducting technical and feasibility studies and building human resource and institutional capacity.
It also involves enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation with countries and international institutions in technology, training, and compliance with international standards, he added.
'The government also emphasises that any final decision regarding the construction of nuclear power plants will only be made once all prerequisites related to safety, technical, policy, and other important considerations are convincingly met,' said Fadillah.
While nuclear energy is not included in the NETR launched in 2023, Fadillah said that hydrogen technology was identified as a potential technology to be developed under the roadmap.
'However, since the launch of NETR, nuclear energy has been recognised as a potential option to provide a clean, stable, and low-carbon baseload energy source, supporting increased electricity demand and efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels,' he said.
He added that the government is ready to explore the potential of nuclear and hydrogen energy as sources of national electricity generation.
This, he said, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen national energy security, and transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a high-value clean economy.
'Nuclear energy has the potential to support NETR by contributing to energy security, carbon emission reduction, and diversification of the national energy mix.
'Nuclear offers a consistent and reliable energy source to replace coal plants that will be phased out by 2044,' he added.