Energy security, nuclear power safety issues top ASEAN meeting

SINGAPORE (AFP) - Energy security issues including nuclear safety concerns are expected to top the agenda at a meeting Thursday among Southeast Asian countries.

Energy ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are meeting in Singapore to discuss ways to secure vital energy supplies which are needed to fuel the region's economic growth.

"Reliable, affordable supplies are essential for Asia's continued growth and ASEAN is no exception," Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security S. Jayakumar said.

"As one of the world's fastest growing region, ASEAN will require increasing energy supplies to fuel our rapid pace of economic expansion," he said in an opening speech at the ASEAN ministers' energy meeting.

While exploring ways to secure energy supplies, ASEAN should not also overlook alternative sources such as new-generation biofuels and civilian nuclear power, said Jayakumar who is also the minister for law.

Diplomatic sources have said a key topic would be safety issues following a move by several countries in the region to build nuclear plants to meet growing electricity needs and reduce dependence on oil and natural gas.

Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand have announced plans to tap nuclear energy, but environmental activists have warned about risks as the region does not have the expertise to operate such plants and deal with nuclear waste.

Jayakumar said in his speech the 10-member bloc will also sign a memorandum of understanding on an ASEAN Power Grid that "provides the essential framework" for the region to implement the project.

The ASEAN Power Grid is an ambitious plan to connect member countries to ensure continued power supply whereby countries with surplus reserves can sell to a neighbouring country.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.