Malaysia is revisiting and reviewing the possibility of using nuclear energy as a “potential power source”, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah says the decision to revisit is due to both the country’s and global energy demands.
As the world’s demand for specialised industry equipment, datacentre facilities, and EVs continue to grow, the company, the country is starting to realise that it may need to consider the nuclear option, if it is to meet its own energy needs.
“Our decision on nuclear energy will be based on informed findings and the guidance of international standards, ensuring it aligns with Malaysia’s unique needs and circumstances,” Fadillah said.
If it wasn’t made clear at the start, this isn’t the first time the idea of Malaysia having its own nuclear power plant has been discussed. It first came up in 2017 but plans for it were shelved back in 2019, citing radioactive waste concerns. This also led to the closure of the Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation (MNCP).
While radioactive waste disposal and handling is most definitely a valid concern, nuclear power is still one of the cleanest energy sources in the world. That makes Malaysia’s goal two-fold: the country has a goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a key focus is the “decarbonisation” of the energy sector.
“We are also focusing on energy efficiency and technological advancements, such as battery storage systems and hydro-based technologies,” he added.
(Source: The Edge)
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