In your opinion, should nuclear energy be used as an alternative source to generate

electrical energy in Malaysia?

In my opinion, I think nuclear energy should not be used as an alternative source to

generate electrical energy in Malaysia. This is because the construction cost for new nuclear
power plants is very expensive. Companies that are planning new nuclear units are currently
indicating that the total costs will be in range $6 billion to $9 billion for each 1,100 MW
plant. From my point of view, it is impossible for Malaysia to build a nuclear power plant due
to shortage of economics. The construction time for building a nuclear power plant is long. It
takes about 84 months to 117 months to build a nuclear reactor. Next, because of the
radioactive nature of its fuel source, nuclear power has two huge disadvantages. They are
the possibility of accidents and the disposal of nuclear waste. An accident at the plant could
release radioactive material into the environment as a plume or cloud-like formation of
radioactive gases and particles. These particles may be inhaled or ingested by people and
animals or deposited on the ground. The particles are composed of unstable atoms that give
off excess energy, called radiation, until they become stable. In low doses, radiation is
harmless. After a nuclear meltdown though, the large doses destroy living cells and cause
mutations, illness, and death. Although the chances of a nuclear meltdown are rare, the
potential impact can be catastrophic. The devastating incidences in Chernobyl and
Fukushima are perfect illustrations of the consequences. The second disadvantage is
disposal of nuclear waste. The waste from nuclear power plants falls into two categories.
High-level waste is the leftover fuel from the reactor after the reaction is finished, and it is
extremely dangerous and can remain so for hundreds or even thousands of years. Low-level
waste includes safety gear and incidental items that have picked up radioactive
contamination but enough to remain dangerous to human life. Both types of waste require
storage until the radioactive material decays enough to become harmless, requiring secure
containment facilities that will last centuries. All in all, I think nuclear power plants are not
suitable to be used as an alternative source to generate electrical energy in Malaysia as its
disadvantages are obvious. I think sources like coal, natural gases and water are better and
safer than nuclear energy.