The cabinet would then decide whether to go ahead with a plant that would be operational by 2020.
14 locations in six provinces have been surveyed for suitability. The potential sites in Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan have been abolished due to community resistance.
A nuclear power plant desires to be adjacent to the sea or a river to drain fresh water to draw heat from the system.
If the inland locations are not possible to establish, an isolated island off Chon Buri is also an option, Kamol said, adding that three sites will be short listed for the government’s consideration.
A sub-committee on public relations is also working on activities to promote understanding within local communities about the impacts and benefits of a nuclear plant.
Kamol said that seven power infrastructure companies from Canada, Japan, Korea and US were offering their technologies.
We are in the process of choosing the best option for a service provider that will provide the best solution for a power unit of 1,000 to 1,300 megawatts, Kamol said. Their equipment needs to be able to work well in higher temperature in Thailand.
Presently, there are 439 nuclear power plants in 30 countries, mostly in North America and Europe, and another 35 plants in 12 countries, which are under construction.
