Tonga To Go Nuclear?

An oddly unsettling development yet what is to be done?

TONGAN KING TOUTS NUCLEAR ENERGY
Tupou wants to limit oil dependency

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, June 10, 2010) – Tonga is considering making use of nuclear power.

In his speech to the latest session of the Legislative Assembly, King George Tupou 5th spoke of the country’s need to end its reliance on fossil fuel.

In a brief reference that has reportedly stunned locals, the King spoke of Government plans to access American nuclear technology.

The King says the government will look at importing what he called a "nuclear machine" but few other details were disclosed.

The machine would be a 30-megawatt nuclear power plant that would contribute to Tonga’s electricity supply.

King George also referred to the fact it can also assist in turning the sea water into usable fresh water because Tonga will need this in the future. He added that the quicker Tonga moves towards nuclear energy the better.

Did he ever think of sun and wind as sources of energy?

"Did he ever think of sun and wind as sources of energy?"

Both are still very expensive and limited in application-they must both be back stopped by fossil fuels.

And that's what I mean by 'what's to be done' .

If Tonga is to remain a viable place to live-remember at least 50% of Tongans have already left-then life has to change for the better in terms of material comfort.

Promises of 'a better home a' waitin' in the sky' aren't doing it for people.

Typical Tongan wind generated power setup on a remote atoll in the Vavau archipelago-suitable only for remote places

Well let's hope and pray Tonga hires some well qualified guys to run that thing!

Sounds like someone could be looking to take Tonga for a ride again

Of course it wouldnt be the first time someone ripped off naive Tongans

EXPERT SAYS TONGA NUKE IDEA PREPOSTEROUS
Notes could be work of fraudster

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, June 14, 2010) – An independent energy analyst says the idea of nuclear energy for Tonga is so uneconomical, fraudsters must behind the proposal.

Tonga’s King, George Tupou the 5th, last week said the government was following development work in the United States on 30 megawatt nuclear power plants which could help reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on diesel.

New Zealand-based Molly Melhuish says the proposal is a dangerous example of international entrepreneurs taking advantage of vulnerable states.

"The only plants of that size are research reactors and it would probably be an old second hand one or alternatively, and even worse, an old ship reactor which are around that size. Both of those require very specialist fuel particularly ship reactors require highly enriched fuel, very expensive and very hard to handle."

Ms Melhuish says she hopes Tonga brings in independent experts to scrutinise any offer that might be made.