Presented at Department of East Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Preparation and Possibility of Nuclear Power Programme for Thailand Dr. Kurujit Nakornthap Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Thailand Presented at Department of East Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thursdat, 10 February 2011

2. Thailand Electricity Generation • Growth of electricity demand in Thailand is forecasted to double in the next 12 years;(present is 25,000 MW) • Necessary to introduce more diversification of fuels for generating electricity;(Risk Management) • Over 70 % of fuel for electricity generation now relies on Natural Gas, with a limited indigenous reserve; • Imperative & Important for Thailand have more options and alternative sources of supply to meet future electricity needs; • Low CO2 Emission to help combat Global Warming and Climate Change is also a preferred path toward Sustainable Development.

3. Thailand Electricity Generation NG is major fuel for electricity generation in Thailand, contributing 71.5 % of total 164,381 GWh in 2010 while lignite & coal, Import & Other, hydro and oil represented 18.4 %, 6.3 %, 3.4% and 0.4 % respectively; Thailand Electricity Generation by Fuel Type in 2010. The Government has long recognized the energy security problem derived from high NG dependencyand sought alternative energy sources including renewable energy. However, for base load power generation, nuclear power is perhaps the only emission-free energy option available for current economic and technological circumstances. As a result, nuclear power plant was initially incorporated in Thailand’s Power Development Plan in 2007 (PDP 2007).

4. neutron neutron uranium Nucleus from fission แนวทางในการบริหารจัดการพลังงานของไทยเพื่อบรรเทาสภาวะโลกร้อน Nuclear Fission Reaction E = MC2 generate energy & radiation (used in medical, food, agriculture, gems industries.) 4

5. comparison of 1 kWh(unit) of electricity produced from 1 kgof fuel

6. Safety – Nuclear power Reality Perception • Safety is an integral part of plant design & operation • Nuclear power has an excellent safety record • Lessons learned from past accidents • Safety culture, peer reviews & best practices • No room for complacency • Nuclear power is dangerous • It can never be made safe • Safe is not safe enough • Nuclear plants are atomic bombs • No public acceptance Source: H-Holger Rogner, Head of Planning & Economic Studies Section, Department of Nuclear Energy, IAEA, 2010

7. Elements of nuclear safety: Defense in Depth Source: NEA Source: H-Holger Rogner, Head of Planning & Economic Studies Section, Department of Nuclear Energy, IAEA, 2010

8. Typical barriers confining radioactive materials Source: NEA Source: H-Holger Rogner, Head of Planning & Economic Studies Section, Department of Nuclear Energy, IAEA, 2010

9. Do not drive into the future by looking in the rear view mirror: Safety is a dynamic concept Yesterday’s technology is not tomorrow's Innovation ongoing With each new investment cycle technology tends to get better (innovation and technology learning) Source: H-Holger Rogner, Head of Planning & Economic Studies Section, Department of Nuclear Energy, IAEA, 2010

10. Nuclear Fuel: Small volumes, high energy contents 1 pellet produces the energy of 1.5 tonnes of coal Each pellet produces 5000 kWh Source: H-Holger Rogner, Head of Planning & Economic Studies Section, Department of Nuclear Energy, IAEA, 2010

11. WEO 2006 Alternative Policy ScenarioGlobal CO2 Emissions Reduction 42 Increased nuclear (10%) Increased renewables (12%) 38 Power sector efficiency & fuel (13%) Reference Scenario Electricity end-use efficiency (29%) Gt of CO2 34 Fossil-fuel end-use efficiency (36%) Alternative Policy Scenario 30 26 2004 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 Improved end-use efficiency accounts for two-thirds of avoided emissions in 2030 in APS Source: IEA

12. National Power Development Plan (PDP) • PDP is a long term power development plan to ensure country’s electricity availability, affordability and security. • PDP 2007, Nuclear power plant(NPP) was incorporated with 4 units of 1,000 MWe capacity: 2 units commercialized in 2020 and the other 2 units in 2021. Current PDP 2010 (2010-2030)was approved by The Cabinet On March2010 with the construction of 5 units of 1000 MWe NPP and in operation from 2020 to 2028. These NPP will contribute about 10% of electricity generation.

13. Brief Background • In December 2007, The Cabinet approved “the Nuclear Power Infrastructure Establishment Plan” (or NPIEP) as a roadmap for nuclear power plant development to meet 1st NPP commercial operation date in late 2020; • NPIEP was developed based on IAEA Guideline and Technical Documents, consultation with IAEA experts, and current infrastructure and capacity of Thailand.Its implementation schedule was aligned with the IAEA guideline NG-G-3.1 – “Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power”. • As a part of NPIEP implementation, The Cabinet approved the setup of Nuclear Power Program Development Office (NPPDO) under the Ministry of Energy, and the appointment of Nuclear Power Infrastructure Establishment Cooperation Committee (or NPIECC) as key steering committee for program cooperation among relate government agencies;

14. Brief Background • NPIECC + NPPDO function is similar to NEPIO as suggested by IAEA; • The cabinet approved budget of 1,345 million Baht (About US$ 40 million) for phase 1 (2008 – 2010) to implement programs under NPIEP including the operation of NPPDO; • Based on planned and approved budget, NPIECC is responsible for review budget allocation and spending in the program; • NPPDO is responsible as functional organization in Phase 1 (2008 – 2010). • National commitment to the nuclear program shall be endorsed by the government approval in March 2011 before proceeding in phase 2 (2011-2013).

15. NPIECC and appointed sub-committees (SC) : 5 Sub – Committees were appointed by NPIECC on March 6, 2008 to work on designated important issues. Each SC consists of representatives from concerned government agencies.

16. Sub-committees’ Responsibility

17. Sub-committees’ Responsibility

18. Sub-committees’ Responsibility

19. National Position The government’s commitment to nuclear power utilization represented by the official documentation as follow : • Atomic Energy for Peace Act 1961, • Atomic Energy Act 1965 (no.2), • Ministerial Regulation on Radioactive Waste Management 2003 • Ministerial Regulation on Licensing for Radiation Source and Nuclear Materials 2007 Although, those official documentations do not clearly demonstrate the Thai government’s commitment to long term safe, secure and peaceful implementation of nuclear power. The revision of the Atomic Energy for Peace is in progress and leading to the establishment of the comprehensive law relating to NPP.

20. Thailand Schedule on NPP The program is being pursued in accordance with the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Overall schedule for the 1st NPP is as follows: Initial plan is focused on having 2 identical units, that have been licensed or design certified in their country of origin, achieving commercial operation for the 1st NPP in December 2020 and for the 2nd NPP in December 2021

21. Current Status on Public Communication Program At present, Public information program to promote nuclear energy is being developed by Subcommittee on Public Information and Public Participation and EGAT’s working group on Public Communications. TV/Radio ad campaigns (including use of recognized Thai personalities on talk shows, etc), mailings (e.g., with electric bills), websites, newspaper and etc are considered as the effective media tools to communicate with the public. The program contents include the benefits of providing future electrical generation i.e. economic benefits (competitive cost of electricity), reduced green house gas emissions, and greater security of supply. In light of the critical need to convince the “local population” (i.e., those in the vicinity of the proposed NPP Site), the Regulator of Electricity Generation is establishing (perhaps on the basis of a KWe-Hr of electricity generated) an “Energy Fund” for the benefit of people living around the NPP. With this arrangement, they would benefit from a reduced, or perhaps no, charge for their electricity, or other benefits could be for local community improvement projects.

22. Key Comments from IAEA Expert Team and Gaps to be Filled Nuclear Legal Framework Thai government recognized peaceful and safely uses of nuclear energy. The Atomic Energy for Peace Act 1961 regulates and controls nuclear and radioactive utilization of present research reactor. Thai Cabinet endorsed in principle of Atomic Energy for Peace Act revision 3 which is follow up the IAEA Safety Standards publication GS-R-1 [6]. This will include: a. Establishment of the NPP authorization and licensing process; b. Development of specific regulations and guides; c. Safety review and assessments; d. Inspections; e. Coordination with other national and internationalbodies; f. Provision of adequate supporting technical resources.

23. Key Comments from IAEA Expert Team and Gaps to be Filled Nuclear Legal Framework The Atomic Energy for Peace Acthas to be revised based on IAEA Fundamental Safety Principle and Standards for applying to the areas of construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of NPP, including SF and nuclear materials transportations; The drafting of the new Act by OAP is currently in conjunction with NPPDO legal study.

24. Key Comments from IAEA Expert Team and Gaps to be Filled Human Resources Development • The power generating operator (EGAT) has prepared a complete HRD Plan for NPP based on US NPP and decontrolized approach. Required manpower and training program are identified; • The Feasibility report conducted by Burns and Roe Enterprise • provides the detailed plan for EGAT’s HRDP; • NPPDO, OAP, TINT and EGAT have organized the necessary training and studying courses in NPP law and regulation, public communication and participation, safety, security and safeguards, • and NPP appropriate technologies and operation; • In 2010, 8 training courses under IAEA assistance on nuclear safety were organized in house by OAP such as competency analysis and implementation of systematic approach; • IAEA expert team notified intensive HRD plan for leadership of NRB’s “nuclear safety Bureau” should be specifically defined;

25. Comments from IAEA Expert Team On Good Practice Feasibility study of Nuclear Power Plant are well conducted by EGAT with clearly results: Siting - Preliminary Site Selection for NPP was prepared in accordance with IAEA Doc.SG-59 1979 (Safety Guide on Site Survey for NPP); - 5 candidate sites are scored and selected from 17 potential sites and based on criteria, the candidate sites are limited to 3 preferable sites. Technology Selection - LWR has been preferable. - BWR/PWR has not decided yet. - 1000-1400 MWe range is feasible. Funding and Economics - 3 ownership options were analyzed. - 100% corporate funding provides lowest tariff. - Potential sources of financing agents are identified. - Nuclear liability study will be reviewed.

26. Major Current Activities • The readiness report is in progress for final review and expected to submit to the cabinetwill be presented as crucial evidence for Thai Cabinet final decision making and approval in March 2011. • NPPDO or NEPIO will be responsible for coordinating with related organizations on implementing the program in Phase 2.

27. Promotion of Nuclear Power 5 2571 Target Year NUCLEAR 5,000 MW • Decision criteria • Economically Feasible • Safety & Safeguards • Public Acceptance Critical Point  GO Nuclear!! • 2563: 1,000 MW • 2564: 1,000 MW • 2567: 1,000 MW • 2568: 1,000 MW • 2571: 1,000 MW COD: 27

28. Summary: Nuclear Power Plant is an alternative energy source for the future, and for National Security Why? ….Fuel diversification/ ……Tariff stability/ ………..Greenhouse Gas reduction Safe & Sound ? Proven Technology and Safeguards/ IAEA supervision and standards/ Independent Regulator/ Trained Operator 28

29. Thank You for Your Attention