Rising demand for nuclear energy among Asian nations

Asian countries are lining up to expand or introduce nuclear power. All say they need it to meet surging demand for electricity to run their growing economies. Yet the enlargement of nuclear generating capacity being planned by so many states is raising fears about catastrophic accidents and the spread of nuclear weapons in the region, just as hopes are being buoyed that North Korea will dismantle its nuclear arms program.

Asia is leading the world in the quest for atomic power. In East and South Asia, there are at least 110 nuclear reactors operating, about a quarter of the world’s total. They generate electricity in six countries — China, India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea and Taiwan. Another 18 power reactors are under construction and a further 110 planned.
In addition, there are 54 nuclear research reactors operating in East and South Asia, with two more being built. The only significant Asia Pacific economies without any kind of research reactor are New Zealand and Singapore.

Most of the new power reactors will be in states that already have experience in operating them. South Korea meets 45 percent of its electricity needs from nuclear plants and plans to raise this ratio to 60 percent by 2035. Japan generates almost 30 percent of its electricity from nuclear power and wants to double this by 2050. Yet despite Japan’s advanced scientific and technological base, some of its reactors have a troubling history of accidents.

The biggest expansion will be in China and India. In both countries, nuclear power currently accounts for less than 4 percent of electricity output. However, China has five power reactors under construction, another 63 planned or proposed. India has eight being built and 24 on the drawing boards.

As concerns grow in Asia about energy security, pollution and global warming, modern nuclear reactors appear to offer an attractive alternative or supplement to coal, oil and natural gas. Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Mongolia are among the lengthening list of Asian candidates for big nuclear reactors to start producing electricity in the next decade or so. Burma recently announced that it would build a small research reactor with Russian assistance.

Some of these new entrants have weak management and control systems; others plan to put reactors in areas prone to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis. They include Indonesia, although it has operated three research reactors safely for many years.

Jakarta Post