- Malaysia making long-term nuclear plans
Malaysia mulls nuclear power plant within 15 years
Malaysia is considering plans to operate a nuclear power plant within 15 years, the government said Tuesday, advancing efforts to find cheaper energy sources.
Malaysia uses coal and natural gas to generate most of its electricity supply, and the government has repeatedly warned that the cost of relying on both commodities is expected to spiral in the decades ahead.
Prime Minister Najib Razak wrote on his blog Tuesday that the government was studying the possible use of nuclear energy as an efficient and cost-effective means for electricity generation.
- China-Pakistan: Let's Make a (Nuclear) Deal
Pakistan Secures China's Help to Build 2 Nuclear Reactors
The nuclear deal with China would give Pakistan an additional 680 megawatts of power a year, or just over a quarter of the country's estimated current electricity shortfall.
China's leaders "do recognize Pakistan's need" for more energy, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told reporters in Islamabad on Saturday.
But more importantly, Mr. Qureshi suggested, the deal would help restore the balance of power in South Asia following a much more comprehensive nuclear pact between India and the U.S., which gives New Delhi access to international atomic fuel and technology markets. In exchange, India has agreed to open its civilian reactors -- but not its military nuclear program -- to international inspections.
This isn't exactly going over well in all sectors:
U.S. studying China-Pakistan nuclear deal
Washington: The United States said Monday it was carefully reviewing China's plans to build two civilian nuclear reactors in Pakistan, urging all nations to respect non-proliferation commitments.
The China National Nuclear Corporation has agreed to finance two more civilian reactors at the Chashma site in Pakistan, despite fears abroad about the safety of nuclear material in the Islamic nation.
China earlier built two reactors for Pakistan. But Beijing in 2004 entered the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a cartel of nuclear energy states that forbids exports to nations lacking strict safeguards by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- Japan gets breeding again
Japan restarts Monju fast-breeder reactor nuclear plant
The facility, called Monju, was shut down in 1995 following a fire.
The accident and cover-up created widespread public concern over the safety of nuclear power.
No one was hurt and there was no radiation leak in the accident, which occurred less than two years after it had begun generating power.
But the plant's operators were criticised for concealing extensive damage to the reactor.
[Bad decisions on both sides. Come clean, fix the problems, restart. 14 years is ridiculous for a plant in prime condition.]
- Brazil makes plans for a research/medical reactor
Brazil to build new nuclear reactor: report
The reactor will be used for nuclear medicine, producing what are known as radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosing and treating diseases like cancer, Rezende said, as well as produce industrial-level enriched uranium starting in 2014.
The announcement came as senior officials from around the world meet at the United Nations to review the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and ahead of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's May 16-17 trip to Iran.
Lula in February announced that two new nuclear power plants would be built in Brazil's northeast.
Things are looking up for the nuclear power industry. And that's good news.
(But I don't mind the DoD keeping an eye on the China-Pakistan deal.)
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