The US is to help Thailand develop nuclear power through a new class of small reactors, part of a program aimed at fighting climate change, the White House said in a statement on behalf of US Vice President Kamala Harris.
“The Vice President is launching a new clean energy partnership with Thailand to build capacity for the secure and safe deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies” to advance Thailand’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2065, the statement said.
The White House said the assistance was part of its Net Zero World Initiative, a project launched at last year’s Glasgow climate summit in which the US partners with the private sector and philanthropists to promote clean energy.
Photo: Bloomberg
Thailand does not have nuclear power, with public mood on the issue souring after the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan.
The White House said it would offer technical assistance to the Southeast Asian country to deploy the developing technology of small modular reactors, which are factory-built and portable. Such reactors are generally considered safer as they do not need human intervention to shut down in emergencies.
The statement said that US experts would work with Thailand on deploying the reactors, which would have the “highest standards of safety, security and nonproliferation,” and boast a smaller land footprint than alternatives.
China, Russia and Argentina are also developing small modular reactors, the prototypes of which are in the design phase.
The White House did not give a timeline, but said it would support Thailand, which is highly vulnerable to climate change, in its climate goals.
Harris discussed the nuclear power initiative in a meeting yesterday with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
The White House also announced an initiative with Thailand to boost the safety of fifth-generation Internet and a project to build a “world-class” cancer treatment centre in eastern Chonburi province.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Saudi Arabia signed a number of bilateral agreements to cooperate in sectors including energy and tourism, as the two countries gradually restore full diplomatic ties.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who was invited by Thailand as a special guest at the APEC economic leaders’ meeting, met Chan-ocha late on Friday to discuss ways to improve bilateral relations, a Thai government spokesman said.
The two countries signed an energy cooperation agreement, a memorandum of understanding to establish a Saudi-Thai Cooperation Council and another to promote tourism.
The nations also plan to explore ways to promote direct investments, the spokesman said.
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
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