I WISH to offer a different perspective from Mr Jeffrey Chan
("Small nuclear reactor: Why it's not a solution", Monday).
The attractions of "third generation plus" small nuclear reactor
technology are manifold. The reactor is the size of a bus and can
be built in a factory, then shipped to a power plant where it can
generate up to one-quarter the power of a large nuclear reactor but
costs only one-tenth as much.
The other advantages are the reactor's compact modular design
and much smaller containment vessel. A large storage area for fuel
is also no longer required.
It will indeed be a wise decision for Singapore to adopt small
nuclear reactors to help meet our ever-increasing electricity
needs.
First, we do not have to work towards being completely free from
reliance on fossil fuels. Instead our additional small nuclear
reactors would balance the consumption of fossil fuels.
Nuclear power plants should be viewed as a means to mitigate the
rampant consumption of fossil fuels, so as to reduce pollution.
Such plants are not meant to completely replace fossil fuels.
Looking to the future, uranium is a good counterbalance to fossil
fuel.
Second, it is a myth that nuclear energy is "too cheap to
meter". Nonetheless, it is a fact that the cost of electricity
generated by nuclear energy is a fraction of that generated by
burning fossil fuels.
Storage and reprocessing of spent fuel rods have become safer
and more economical. Decommissioning of a nuclear plant after 30 to
40 years of service is part and parcel of the process. The benefits
of cheaper and cleaner energy outweigh the justifications for more
fossil fuel plants.
Third, large nuclear power plants do not necessarily suit
nations with small land mass and high population density. Singapore
is better off using uranium as an additional source. We should not
be unduly worried about nuclear proliferation with a few small
nuclear power plants here.
Come 2030, future generations would be thankful to our present
leaders for their foresight in adopting small nuclear power plants
to meet our electricity needs.
Paul Chan