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Act on nuclear power plants to be tabled next year

An Act on the use of nuclear energy to generate electricity will be tabled in Parliament next year, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili.

“It is still at the initial stage. The policy and legal framework need to be completed first. Malaysia needs at least 10 years to prepare in terms of infrastructure and manpower if the Act on the use of nuclear energy is passed by Parliament,” he told reporters after opening the 5th Malaysia-Korea Energy Cooperation Workshop in Kuala Lumpur today.

“But at the moment, the priority is quite low as we are pushing for renewable energy and we also have to consider the lower oil and coal prices,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ongkili said no decision has been made in the bid for 1MDB’s energy arm Edra Global Energy Bhd, adding his ministry is ready to expedite the process.

“We have our own views but we are still in discussions with the Public-Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) under the Prime Minister’s Department.

“It (the bid) should not be a problem but we should put some terms in to settle it,” he said when commenting on a media report on the Energy Commission’s special authorisation to allow Edra Global Energy to offer up to 100 percent of its equity to foreign investors.

The report said the ministry opposed the decision.

Citing sources, the report said the Energy Commission made the decision in its meeting on Sept 8, after receiving a proposal from the Finance Ministry.

“There is a cap of 49 percent on foreign ownership in the energy sector. It is guided by UKAS and the International Trade and Industry Ministry,” said Ongkili.

The sale of Edra Global Energy is expected to be finalised by mid-November.

Among the four short-listed candidates are Qatar’s Nebras Power QSC and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, the sole Malaysian entity.

- Bernama

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