Why even SE Asia’s most advanced country must shun nuclear power
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In 2012 Singapore conducted a feasibility study on nuclear energy and concluded that it is unsuitable. S Iswaran, then second minister for Trade and Industry, told parliament that the risks outweighed the benefits because Singapore is a small and densely
The way forward is for the government to support research on nuclear science and engineering and train scientists and experts, while monitoring the progress of nuclear technologies that are suited to our tiny island-state.
The risks come from the management and disposal of radioactive waste, as well as the consequences of a reactor meltdown, even if the plant were built on an offshore island.
The plant itself and the trucks carrying waste could also become terrorist targets since they have the potential to cause widespread destruction.
The cons far outnumber the pros.
We should focus on cleaner, renewable energy options such as solar.
Francis Cheng
(From the Straits Times/ANN)
