The Chinese government is embarking on expanding its footprint in relation to nuclear energy capacity. Authorities recently announced it will test its most extreme energy in history. Reports reveal that China has inspired Thailand to test its nuclear energy.
China to test nuclear reactors in Thailand
Just early this year, Reuters reported that Thailand, as Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, wants to explore small modular nuclear reactor technology. With the help of China as a global economic powerhouse, Thailand aims to produce much of its power, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said.
“Our green transition goal is one of the most ambitious in Southeast Asia, and we have a comprehensive roadmap in place to have 50% of energy production be renewable by 2040.”
Together with green hydrogen and battery storage solutions, Thailand is also looking at small modular reactor (SMR) power plants to make manufacturing more environmentally friendly, he said.
Meanwhile, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) in Thailand also announced details of its plan for small modular nuclear reactors, aimed at upgrading the country’s energy stability, thus paving the way for carbon neutrality and keeping power-generation costs low.
Egat governor Thepparat Theppitak said small modular reactors (SMRs) will help ease or cut carbon emissions as well as electricity costs.
It is reported by Nation Thailand that smaller and more flexible than traditional nuclear power plants, an SMR is capable of producing up to 300 megawatts of electricity (MWe), against over 1,000 MWe produced by large plants.
“SMR is designed to be smaller in size, with the fuel system and steam generation system integrated into a single module. This design reduces system complexity, thus increasing safety,” explained the governor who also touched on safety concerns,” published the publication.
“An SMR can automatically shut down in the event of an emergency and has a cooling system that does not rely on electricity.
“The smaller size of SMRs also means smaller areas required for emergency planning. A large nuclear plant will need a radius of 16 kilometres for this purpose, while an SMR will need only 1km.”
How Thailand is studying China’s method
As Thepparat put it, he said Egat is studying over 80 types of SMRs in 18 countries, including China’s Linglong One which is located in Hainan – the world’s first above-surface commercial SMR.
Looking at the costs that will be incurred in the project, The Moment understands that Egat is also working with the Education Ministry to place SMRs in the curriculum at high school and university levels to raise public understanding and acceptance.
“However, thanks to their longer service lifetimes of 60 years and lower fuel costs, SMRs will prove to be a sustainable alternative for Thailand’s green future that helps boost the country’s competitiveness with affordable energy prices,” he said.
While the government of Thailand planned to begin its maiden nuclear plant in 2020, it was delayed owing to Japan’s Fukushima nuclear accident back in 2011.
Southeast Asia currently has no operational nuclear reactor, although several countries in the region have sought to develop civilian nuclear projects, including through SMR technology.
“Though SMRs have lower upfront capital cost per unit, their economic competitiveness is still to be proven in practice once they are deployed,” according to the IAEA.
What’s the source of power in Thailand
Per a report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the country’s energy capacity is led by solar, wind, small and large hydropower projects.
However, Thailand also sources hydropower from neighbouring Laos and with its recent power development plan, it aims to cover the period between 2018 and 2037.
With that said, Thepparat added that SMRs use uranium as fuel, which is cheap and easier to find, can produce electricity for up to 24 months before having to be refuelled.