Guest Comments by Civic Exchange

HONG KONG -- On June 10, independent policy think tank Civic Exchange hosted a forum called Increasing Nuclear Literacy in Hong Kong.

Since 1994, Hong Kong has been a nuclear-powered society with nearly a quarter of its electricity from nuclear sources. China plans significant expansion of nuclear generation, much of it in Guangdong Province beside Hong Kong.

Now events at Fukushima in Japan put nuclear power sharply into focus. The half-day forum featured international and local experts. A Security Bureau representative spoke of the government's contingency plans for any nuclear emergency affecting Hong Kong.

Among the other speakers:

Michael Friedlander (a former nuclear-plant operator) explained the basics of nuclear power and said it's an amazing technology, but extremely unforgiving. “It doesn't matter how sophisticated the design, poor management of the technology can render the design features irrelevant.”

Malcolm Grimston (from the energy, environment and development program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London) said communications among power utilities, government authorities and the public play a crucial role in operations and in management of incidents or emergencies. “Trust lies at the heart of the matter,” he said. “The public will accept a lack of knowledge, but not a lack of openness.”

Dr Didier Kechemair (an independent consultant on energy and innovation, formerly with the French Commission for Nuclear Energy and Alternative Energies) told of his experience in the French nuclear-industry watchdog. “Safety is the paramount concern and a process of continuous improvement. Safety preparedness and management need serious resources: expertise, money and regulatory powers.”

Bertrand Barre (scientific advisor with the AREVA group and professor at Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires, France) said the nuclear industry adopts continuous progress, drawing from its extensive experience, including lessons from past nuclear accidents. “So-called Generation Three nuclear plants embody the lessons learned from Chernobyl and analyses up to now indicate that such plants, now under construction and notably in China, would have survived the natural catastrophes that struck Fukushima Daichi.”

Christine Loh (Civic Exchange CEO) said, “It's essential for the Hong Kong public to be aware of the major issues in planning and operating nuclear facilities so we can play a constructive role in pushing for safety, management and good governance in our neighbourhood.”

Increased “literacy” on nuclear issues will help civil society in Hong Kong to discuss and debate the issues surrounding nuclear energy as a part of the fuel mix.

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