Challenges of Nuclear Communications in Newcomer Countries - Malaysia s Experience

Transcription

1 Challenges of Nuclear Communications in Newcomer Countries - Malaysia s Experience Technical Meeting on Engaging the Public and Local Communities in the Development of a Nuclear Power Programme 2 September 2013 (Monday)

2 CONTENT Status of Malaysia s Nuclear Power Programme Issues of Concern in Malaysia Stakeholder Engagement Strategy on Nuclear Energy Way Forward 2

3 Programme & Regualtory Development Project Development Status of Malaysia s Nuclear Power Programme Preparation Phase Decision Phase Implementation Phase Launch Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) Feasibility Study (FS) Basic & Detailed Design Bid Invitation & Evaluation Contract Award & Vendor Procurement Site Grading & Excavation Construction Commissioning Regulatory Framework Preparation Permits & Safety Analysis Operation Permits & Safety Reports Signing/Ratifying or Acceding to International Instruments & Legislative Development Site Investigations Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) Construction License Site License Pre-Operational Baseline Radiological Data Gathering Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) for Operating Licence Operator Training Continuous Stakeholder Involvement, Public Information, Human Capital, Industrial & Technological Development Source: Malaysia NKEA OGE Laboratory 2010, Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) 3

4 Issues of Concern in Malaysia The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water should clearly explain to all people the pros and cons of nuclear power (why nuclear when we have abundant oil and gas); The Government should ensure that the country can both afford the initial investment as well as have all necessary technical expertise before implementing nuclear technology; Radiation, waste and safety issues; Association with previous experience with the Asian Rare Earth (ARE) plant thirty years ago, which involved allegations of increases of birth defects, cancer, and leukemia around the plant and the radioactive waste dump, as well as Lynas Advanced Material Plant (LAMP); Association with nuclear power plants and nuclear disasters e.g. Fukushima; Health and environment concerns; Lack of regulatory enforcement; and, The Government should examine and review threats and the level of security that may arise before implementing nuclear technology. 4

5 Stakeholder Engagement Strategy on Nuclear Energy Engagement with the Government agencies that would be involved in nuclear power programme development through a series of Inter-Agency Workshop for the Familiarisation of Nuclear Power Policy and Programme Planning & Requirements; Took advantage of Dr Mohamed ElBaradei s visit to deliver the Nobel Laureate Public Lecture, which was attended by more than 700 guests comprising of Members of Parliament (MPs), diplomats, corporate leaders especially from energy sector, senior government officials, NGOs, academicians, the general public and 70 international and local media representatives; The stakeholder engagement programme then expanded to a series of Public Information on Nuclear Energy (PINE) programme which progressively covers Government agencies, NGOs, media, MPs, Senators and State Assembly Representative including special dialogue forum organised by Opposition Parties. Successively, a National Training Course on Train-the-Trainers for Nuclear Power Programme Public Communicators was organised. When NEPIO was formed, the original plan was to engage an international communications consultant with a local partner but it was postponed due to Fukushima. As a temporary measure, the Public Communications Kick-start Strategy on Nuclear Energy was developed by the Feasibility Studies Consultant. Currently, Malaysia is resuming the process of engaging the communications consultant to formulate a comprehensive nuclear communications plan. 5

6 Way Forward Despite the setback following the Fukushima accident, MNPC is continuing the studies for nuclear power deployment as per the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), to meet the future demand and diversify the energy mix in Peninsular Malaysia. In the area of stakeholder engagement, Malaysia is currently in the process of engaging an established international communications consultant to assist with the planning and formulation of public communications on nuclear energy starting with the communications on the comparative electricity generation costs among alternative energy sources including nuclear energy. In due course, Malaysia plans to formulate and implement the management of separate comprehensive communications plan for nuclear energy and on nuclear regulatory body confidence-building in

7 THANK YOU Myra Liyana Razali Assistant Manager, Stakeholder Engagement Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation (MNPC), A-1-01, A-1-03 & A-1-05, SME Technopreneur Centre 2, 2260 Jalan Usahawan 1, Cyberjaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel : Fax : myra.liyana@mnpc.org.my 7