Asia is becoming a hot bed for nuclear energy. With fuel prices soaring through the roof , US, French, Russian and Canadian companies are exploring nuclear energy in Asia as an alternate energy source.

General Electric, Daewoo and Toshiba are among companies looking to win big contracts in Southeast Asia. A report by the world nuclear association last year said that through to 2010 projected new power generating capacity in Asia is approximately 38 GWe per year, and from 2010 to 2020 it is 56 GWe/yr, up to one third of this replacing retired plant. This is about 36 percent of the world’s new capacity (current world capacity is about 3500 GWe, of which 368 GWe is nuclear). Much of this growth will be in China, Japan, India and Korea. The nuclear share of this to 2020 is expected to be at least 39 GWe and maybe more if environmental constraints limit fossil fuel expansion.

There are currently 109 nuclear power reactors operating in six countries of the region, 18 units under construction and firm plans in place to build about another 40 units.

High global fuel prices in the 1970s resulted in a raft of plants being built in Europe and North America. After a retreat in the 1980s over safety issues, interest in the nuclear option is reviving as Asia’s surging power demands help spur global fossil fuel prices and pressure mounts to reduce growth in greenhouse gas emissions, reported the Asia Times.

Asia has big plans to go nuclear, here’s a look at the nuclear plans in the region -

Japan: Japan has 55 units in operation, 2 under construction, 11 planned, also 17 research reactors. Japan generates 29% of its electricity from nuclear power. By 2015, nuclear contribution is expected to increase, especially if emission targets under the Kyoto Protocol are met. Longer term plans are to double nuclear capacity (to 90 GWe) and nuclear share by 2050.

South Korea: South Korea has 21 units in operation, 7 planned, also 2 research reactors. 45% of S. Korea’s electricity needs come from nuclear power, this is increasing. The national plan is to expand to 28 nuclear power reactors, including advanced reactor designs, and achieve 60% nuclear supply by 2035. Demand for electricity in South Korea has been increasing strongly.

North korea: 2 units partially built but subject to political delays, also 1 research reactor. North Korea was close to commissioning one small power reactor, but concern focussed on attempts to develop illicit weapons capability caused this to be halted.

China: 10 units in operation, 5 under construction, 13 planned, 50 proposed; also 13 research reactors. is moving ahead rapidly in building new nuclear power plants, many of them conspicuously on time and on budget.

India: 15 units in operation, 8 under construction, 24 planned or proposed also 5 research reactors. India has achieved independence in its nuclear fuel cycle. Nuclear power currently supplies less than 4% of electricity in India. The units under construction are due for completion by 2010. A further 24 units are planned or proposed, to give 20 GWe by 2020.

Pakistan: 2 reactors in operation, 1 under construction, 2 planned, also 1 research reactor.
Pakistan generates almost 3% of its electricity by nuclear, its second power reactor started up in 2000, and the third - supplied by China - is under construction. The government plans 0.9 GWe of new nuclear capacity by 2015, and a further 7.5 GWe by 2030.

Indonesia: 3 research reactors. In Indonesia, the government aims to have its first nuclear plant in operation some time after 2015 on the Central Java north coast. The outlook here is less certain, as public opposition is strengthening nationally and locally, to the extent that at least one Islamic religious leader has issued an edict against the plan. With national, regional and presidential elections scheduled for next year, Indonesia’s nuclear plans could be derailed, some industry executives fear.

Thailand: 1 research reactor, + 1 being built. Thailand is also carrying out a feasibility study for a nuclear plant to be built in the country by 2020, although again public opposition might hinder progress. Community and non-governmental organizations in recent years managed to derail construction of two large coal-fired power plants in southern Prachuap Kirikhan province. About 70% of electricity is from natural gas. Capacity requirement in 2016 is forecast at 48 GWe.

Vietnam: 1 research reactor. Vietnam plans to have four nuclear generation plants with a total of 8,000 megawatts (MW) capacity in operation by 2025. Two of those plants, each with two 1,000 MW units, are to be up and running by 2020. Construction is set to begin in 2015 and the government has earmarked US$6 billion for each plant. Vietnam has a nuclear cooperation agreement with South Korea. Demand is growing rapidly and is expected to reach about 100 billion kWh/yr in 2010 - from 40 billion kWh in 2003. More than half of its power comes from hydro, a quarter from gas.

Philippines: 1 research reactor. The Philippines has one power reactor completed but its operation was aborted over litigation concerning bribery and safety deficiencies. The plant is expected to be converted to coal or oil burning.

Bangladesh: 1 research reactor. Bangladesh has had plans to build a 600 MWe reactor and in 2005 signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with China. It has one operating research reactor.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 9th, 2008 at 10:15 am and is filed under Government, Environment, Investment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.