EARLIER this year, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that the government aims to ensure that 40% of Malaysia’s primary energy mix comes from renewable energy sources by 2035.

Speaking at the launch of the Malakoff Corporation Bhd Biomass Co-Firing Project at the Tanjung Bin energy plant on May 26, he mentioned that the move would reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 10 million tonnes annually, and the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra) aims to raise the percentage of renewable energy to 100% in 2050.

“The country’s energy sector represents 29% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employs a quarter of the country’s workforce. Therefore, changes in the energy system will not only impact income and economic development, but also the livelihood of the people who depend on affordable energy,” he said then.

In an effort to decarbonise our energy systems, nuclear energy has been brought up as a potential pathway to diversify Malaysia’s energy mix and ensure long-term energy security despite its omission from the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).

The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia) had also stated earlier in January that with the latest developments, it is crucial that the country considers generating power using nuclear energy.

Nuklear Malaysia director-general Dr Rosli Darmawan had acknowledged the potential of nuclear energy despite its omission from the National Nuclear Technology Policy 2030.

Dr Rosli said most industries have begun to seriously consider the use of nuclear energy as fossil fuels such as coal are the biggest contributors to carbon emissions today.

As discussions unfold regarding the country’s energy transition and public utilities landscape, the consideration of nuclear energy becomes increasingly pertinent.

This is being explored in tandem with the incorporation of other forms of renewable energy sources, such as waste-to-energy (WTE) plants, of which the government has identified 18 possible sites for the plants to serve the needs of every state in Peninsula Malaysia.

WTE plants offer a potential solution by converting waste into electricity and heat.

However, they are not without challenges, including emissions and lower energy yields compared to other renewable sources.

Meeting energy demands

Nuclear power stands at a critical juncture in the global energy landscape, where its economic competitiveness is being scrutinised in comparison to other energy sources. Understanding the economic aspects of nuclear power is essential for evaluating its role in the transition to a sustainable energy future.

The primary criticisms of nuclear power stem from its high initial capital costs and public safety concerns. Building a nuclear power plant requires substantial investment in construction, safety systems and regulatory compliance.

Nuklear Malaysia told StarESG that [the energy’s] ability to generate large quantities of electricity with minimal carbon emissions positions it as a key player in the transition to a low-carbon future.

“Unlike renewable sources such as solar, which are subject to weather conditions and variability, nuclear power provides a steady and reliable supply of energy. This consistency is crucial for industries with high and continuous energy demands, which require uninterrupted power to operate efficiently,” says Nuklear Malaysia. 

In the context of Malaysia, where the energy sector still heavily relies on fossil fuels, the adoption of nuclear power could be a game-changer.

According to Nuklear Malaysia, it has a lower carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels which offers a viable path to significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby aligning with national and global climate goals.

“Moreover, nuclear energy’s efficiency—generating vast amounts of electricity from relatively small amounts of fuel—makes it an attractive option for supporting economic growth while preserving natural resources,” Nuklear Malaysia explains.

The predictability of long-term costs associated with nuclear power, due to its relatively stable fuel prices, further strengthens its appeal.

Nuklear Malaysia also says that the availability of uranium, coupled with advancements in nuclear technology, ensures that nuclear power can serve as a long-term, sustainable energy source.

Why the worry?

Nuclear waste management and assuaging public fears have emerged as critical hurdles on the road to a sustainable energy future.

Greenpeace Malaysia (Greenpeace) told StarESG that nuclear and WTE plants do not have significant impacts on achieving net zero emissions by 2050, as both technologies still emit carbon, with additional concerns on high cost and safety issues.

“Despite nuclear being a low carbon technology in terms of power generation, the entire lifecycle of a power plant itself from uranium mining, transportation, fuel processing, construction of the plant, fuel processing and waste disposal, emits CO2,” says Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Hamizah Shamsudeen.

These often overlooked processes tend to diminish the overall environmental benefits of nuclear power.

The high costs of building, maintaining and decommissioning nuclear facilities further complicate its role in sustainable energy in the future.

There is also the worry of adopting a ‘wait-and-see’ approach in regards to radioactive waste management which poses concerns for the public.

“Even though nuclear waste remains radioactive for thousands of years, no proven solution exists for dealing with radioactive waste aside from storing if for future generations to deal with; which raises the risks associated with nuclear energy, including potential accidents, high risks associated with natural disasters such as floods—of which Malaysia is prone —the challenges of long-term radioactive waste storage and management, present serious concerns,” Hamizah adds.

This procrastination strategy has left numerous nations grappling with the issue for decades without reaching a satisfactory resolution. Noteworthy examples include the Netherlands deferring decisions on waste management until 2100 and the Czech Republic planning to initiate disposal efforts in 2065.

Understanding this, Nuklear Malaysia says that for a new embarking country like Malaysia, managing nuclear energy waste responsibly is crucial, especially in the context of its energy transition goals.

The nation can leverage its existing experience in handling radioactive waste, particularly through the expertise of Nuklear Malaysia, which has a track record in managing various forms of radioactive materials.

“A comprehensive waste management strategy must be developed, adhering to international standards such as those set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This includes establishing a robust regulatory framework, ensuring that waste is stored safely, and eventually disposed of in secure facilities,” the agency says.

The agency also acknowledges that developing secure interim storage facilities is a critical step.

“These facilities would safely contain waste until a permanent solution, such as deep geological repositories, can be implemented. Collaboration with international partners can enhance Malaysia’s capability to manage nuclear waste, learning from countries with established nuclear programmes,” Nuklear Malaysia explains.

They add that research and development should be encouraged to explore advanced waste management technologies, such as recycling and reprocessing spent fuel, to minimise the volume of waste that requires long-term storage.

“By aligning its waste management practices with global best practices and leveraging the agency’s expertise, Malaysia can ensure that its nuclear energy programme supports the country’s energy transition while safeguarding environmental and public health.”

Net zero, zero waste

In parallel, a statement by Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) said that WTE facilities can substantially contribute toward Malaysia becoming a zero waste nation due to its hygienisation process of waste.

“This process prevents the waste recycling process from the risk of contamination by polluted waste and diverts non-recyclable waste from landfills, dumpsites and open fires. Moreover, the energy generated creates spillover benefits by supplying electricity to neighbouring residential, commercial and industrial establishments,” it read.

“This energy generation is more sustainable and less dependent on fossil fuel. The material recovery through WTE facilities is especially beneficial to the metal industry, as great amounts of materials can be recovered from the bottom ashes, including minerals and other precious metals.” 

Malaysia is banking on WTE solutions with the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) establishing six WTE plants across the country by next year.

However, WTE processes are not entirely carbon-neutral.

“WTE is primarily a waste management solution rather than a clean energy solution. It tends to perpetuate a wasteful lifestyle and the burning of valuable, and limited resources that could be repurposed by encouraging the continuous production of waste rather than promoting reduction, reuse and circular recycling,” explains Hamizah.

She describes how the transportation of waste to these incinerator plants produces CO2 and the burning process of the waste releases harmful pollutants like dioxins, which pose health and environmental risks.

While WTE plants can reduce our reliance on landfills and help address methane emissions, it may consume more energy than it produces, making it an inefficient and unsustainable option for addressing climate change.

“Therefore, its contribution to reducing overall carbon emissions is limited, not to mention the high costs of establishing and operating WTE facilities make them less viable as a long-term sustainable solution.

“Incineration should be the very last option as it also consumes valuable resources that could be put to other use, while at the same time encouraging the production of waste and the current throwaway culture,” Hamizah emphasises.

A mixed bag

Energy security encompasses availability, reliability and affordability.

Diversifying energy sources, building resilience to disruptions and ensuring economic accessibility while being environmentally sustainable are crucial. Focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency and hybrid technologies can provide a better solution for energy security.

Greenpeace emphasises that escalating costs further complicate the economic feasibility of nuclear power which takes a minimum of eight years to construct, with prospective delays that could increase its already high investment costs.

This underscores the need for investments in research to enhance existing sustainable approaches to energy generation such as solar panels, of which Malaysia is already a major producer.

Instead, Hamizah says that taking advantage of the abundant amount of sunlight Malaysia gets as well as the maturity of the solar energy facilities and incentives programme the government has introduced in Malaysia will best work towards increasing solar utilisation in the energy mix.

That said, advancements in nuclear technology have led to improved safety standards and reduced environmental impacts, making nuclear power a cleaner alternative.

Other than that, government subsidies and incentives play a role in shaping the economic landscape of energy production. Policies that support nuclear energy development, research and decommissioning can influence its economic competitiveness relative to other energy sources.

Instead of viewing nuclear energy as a choice between other renewable alternatives, it can be seen as a complementary ally to renewable sources such as solar and wind power.

Nuklear Malaysia is actively implementing many initiatives to educate Malaysians about the benefits and safety measures associated with nuclear science and technology.

These efforts are focused on raising awareness, dispelling myths and providing accurate, up-to-date information on the role of nuclear technology in society.US-based Lazard’s Power, Energy & Infrastructure Group vice chairman and global head George Bilicic emphasised that to significantly reduce emissions, a diverse set of clean energy technologies is essential.

He stated that the shift away from fossil fuels will not be driven by a single energy solution, but rather by a comprehensive strategy that incorporates multiple options, known as a new “all-of-the-above” approach.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/30/malaysias-path-to-carbon-neutrality-and-the-energy-conundrum