Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said that he would like to find out public opinion on the future of electricity generation in the country especially the use of nuclear energy.
"Are there alternatives not yet considered, that could firmly establish Malaysia as a global green revolution leader?" he asked in his blog www.1malaysia.com.my here.
Najib said that as such, the Government was undertaking feasibility studies on nuclear energy use for electricity generation.
"I am eager to understand better and to know the findings. If we press ahead with nuclear, 12 to 15 years could elapse before energy is produced using small reactors," he said.
The Prime Minister said nuclear was arguably efficient and cost effective, but the question was whether it was the right one for Malaysia.
"Of course, if we do go down the nuclear energy route, we would not be alone. And this is why we are looking around globally to learn from other countries and take note of the advancement in technology of this industry/sector," he said.
On May 04, the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water had been given approval by the Economic Council to look into identifying suitable sites for the country's first nuclear power plant which was expected to be operational by the year 2021.
Najib emphasised the importance of conserving and managing the country's natural resources.
"Our non-renewable natural resources are finite. Eventually, the supply will end.”
PTI
First Published: Thursday, May 06, 2010, 14:26