Thailand not yet to build nuclear power plant

BANGKOK, September 10 (TNA) - Thai Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan says that the government has no plan to build a nuclear power plant at the moment, but acknowledges that the construction of a nuclear power plant, based on the public's approval, may be necessary for Thailand in the future.

Pichai noted that a proposed idea for Thailand to build a nuclear power plant for the first time could be brought up in the future, as power consumption in the country has been rising in line with the Kingdom's target on keeping continual and sustainable growth of the national economy, with the value of gross domestic product (GDP) doubling to some 20 trillion baht over the next nine years, from some 10 trillion baht currently.

According to the Thai energy minister, his ministry is now reviewing the country's 2010 power development plan (PDP), set to be implemented from 2010-2030, initially emphasizing on the construction of clean coal-filled power plants, like those built in developed nations, namely Japan and German.

Meanwhile, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) said that the state-run agency, under the supervision of the Energy Ministry, plans to construct a new 5-megawatt-solar power plant in Tabsakae District of Thailand's upper southern Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, as part of the Kingdom's moves to help ease the global warming problem and to pay tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasions of the beloved monarch's 84th birthday and 60th anniversary of the royal coronation this year. (TNA)