IAEA head bats for nuclear energy as power source

MANILA, Philippines - Climate change concerns make nuclear energy more attractive as a source of stable supply of electricity, according to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Yukiya Amano, director of the IAEA – an international organization devoted to promote the peaceful application of nuclear energy – said the recent climate change conference in Paris showed the rising concern on greenhouse gas emissions.

“The advantages of nuclear power are being considered by many countries. That is the reason why after the Fukushima Daiichi accident, we continue to estimate that there would be significant increase in the use of nuclear power by 2030,” Amano told a press conference at the opening of the three-day 3rd Philippine Nuclear Congress at the Manila Diamond Hotel yesterday.

Amano said IAEA is leaving it up to member-states to decide whether to adopt nuclear energy for their power needs.

“It is the decision of each sovereign state,” he said.

He said IAEA has not made an assessment of the mothballed Bataan nuclear power plant during his visit last January.

He gave assurance the IAEA would assist the Philippines if it decides to tap nuclear energy.

“The IAEA is ready to assist any country to be able to use nuclear power as safely, securely and sustainably as possible,” Amano said.

Amano has praised the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI-DOST) for its efforts on the extensive application of nuclear science in various fields, as well as its cooperation with other IAEA member-states.

The Philippines remains number two in the list of countries with the highest electricity rates in Asia, second to Japan.

Alumanda de la Rosa, PNRI-DOST director, said the use of irradiation, or irradiated isotopes to look for potable water and come up with better ways of sterilizing food and develop organic fertilizers, has earned praises from Amano and the IAEA.