Thailand will turn to nuclear power as an alternative option to meet its demands for electricity supplies within the following 13 years.

Thai Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amaranand has said that by 2020 Thailand will go nuclear. Thai News Agency quotes him: “I think it would be dangerous and irresponsible to simply use energy conservation and renewable energies to try to contain global greenhouse gas emissions.

“You must go nuclear as well, and eventually also use carbon capture storage.”

Amaranand said it would take seven years to prepare for nuclear power in Thailand, training nuclear technicians and educating the public, and another six years to build the necessary plants.

“In Thailand's case I think it is inevitable that we will have to look at the nuclear option,” the minister said.

Right now, Thailand relies on indigenous natural gas for more than 65 percent of its power generation. The remaining 35 percent comes from imported oil, coal, hydro and renewables.

Amaranand emphasized the need to slow carbon emissions. The new energy plan would allow Thailand to replace 20 percent of car fuel consumption with gasohol and bio-diesel within the next five years.

By 2011, 8 percent of the country’s electricity grid would be eco-friendly sources from renewable biomass, wind and solar energies.

Amaranand predicted nuclear power would initially account for some 5 to 10 percent of Thailand’s electricity needs.