The Bernama report that the United States has offered to help Malaysia build a nuclear power plant has caught the attention of Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility, who have been seriously working to convince the Malaysian government that such a project is not a wise or viable energy option, since it carries inherent risks and is not affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound.
The government's nuclear power proposal in 2009 was based on the myth that nuclear power is cheap, clean and safe. Disinformation about nuclear energy has been disseminated by vested interests in the nuclear industry ever since its false claim that nuclear power is “too cheap to meter”.
There is conclusive evidence that the cost of electricity generated by a nuclear power plant is far higher than electricity from fossil fuels or renewable energy. The ratings and risk firm, Moody’s Corporate Finances, recently estimated that the capital cost of nuclear power per kilowatt is 275 percent higher than that of wind power and 150 percent higher than solar power.
Germany, Sweden and the United States are closing down nuclear power plants because projected income does not cover operating costs.
The nuclear industry is in decline all over the world. The 2014 World Nuclear Industry Status Report has analysed the rapid changes in nuclear economics, the technology revolution in the power sector, and the impact of renewable energy on the financial viability and status of nuclear power.
It predicts that the use of renewable energy will increase rapidly, that investment in renewable energy will be dominant and will exceed investment in fossil fuel power stations and nuclear power plants.
Nuclear power plants are susceptible to accidents. Greenpeace has recorded 99 minor nuclear accidents worldwide in the period 1952-2009, each with the potential to develop into a major disaster. Major nuclear accidents are not common but when they do occur they are catastrophic. Chernobyl and Fukushima are fearful examples.
Fukushima has brought Japan to its knees. Massive quantities of water are being pumped daily into the three destroyed reactors to cool radioactive fuel rods. The contaminated radioactive water is then stored in tanks which have started to leak. Experts say that the Japanese government will soon be left with no choice but to release the water into the Pacific ocean.
The most dangerous and unacceptable feature of a nuclear power plant is that it produces lethal waste which remains radioactive for thousands of years. For instance, plutonium has a half-life of 24,400 years. There is still absolutely no way to safely and permanently dispose of the waste. In practical and human terms, there will be no end to the dangers of radiation.
If our forefathers had resorted to nuclear power, we in the 21st century today would still be burdened and endangered by the waste.
If the Malaysian government persists in going ahead with building a nuclear power plant, it will knowingly bequeath unmanageable lethal waste to future generations. It would be unethical and immoral to leave them such a toxic legacy, when there are safer alternative energy sources, such as renewables.
Some serious questions
The Malaysian government and vested interests must answer some serious questions. Where is the evidence that nuclear power is cheap, clean and safe? Where is the community support? Where is the process of genuine dialogue, open debate and proper consultation with the people of Malaysia? Can the government feel confident that our safety and maintenance culture will prevent a Chernobyl or a Fukushima catastrophe?
Most critically, how is the government going to manage the safe and permanent disposal of long-lived radioactive waste? Lastly, is there no ethical and moral responsibility for the health, safety and well-being of future generations?
Most governments have seen the writing on the nuclear wall and are phasing out nuclear power in favour of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Malaysian government must not ignore sensible and responsible global trends and proceed to build a nuclear power plant which could be potentially catastrophic, nation-crippling, and a radioactive time bomb for future generations of Malaysians.
DR RONALD McCOY is a former president of the Malaysian Medical Association and is now international councillor for the Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility.
