Nuclear Power ‘May Be Necessary Soon’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31135, 11 August 1966, Page 3

Nuclear Power ‘May Be Necessary Soon’

(Neu> Zealand Press Association* AUCKLAND. August 10. New Zealand could have a nuclear power station before Australia, according to a party of Australian atomic scientists who arrived in Auckland this afternoon.

i “It could easily be i that New Zealand will need atomic power before we do,” said the leader of the six-man group, Mr M. C. Timbs. an executive member of the Australian Atomic EnergyCommission. which is the sponsor of the visit. “We have tremendous reserves of coal, natural gas and oil, and more are being discovered all the time,” said Mr Timbs. “But nuclear power is reaching the stage where its capital and operating costs are competitive with

other sources of power. In some parts of the world it is competitive already." The Tennesee Valley Authority, for example, had recently decided to build a i 200-megawatt nuclear station lin an area where coal costs were among the lowest in the | United States. ; The Australian Atomic ; Energy Commission had a [special projects division I which was studying all the implications of nuclear power, including costs, siting and s health, said Mr Timbs. ’ Two members of the divisi ion—Dr. R. K. Warne?, the r deputy-chief, and Mr D. W. e Crancher, who is concerned :- with siting—are in the visitt ing group.

“We expect a decision to be made on the first Australian nuclear power station within five years." said Mr Timbs. “A great deal of study is still needed, however, into the economics of the various types of reactor." Australia was a producer and exporter of uranium and it was logical that the first stage of nuclear power generation would be based on natural uranium. “1 cannot see us investing in an enrichment plant for a good many years yet. if ever. If we use natural uranium we will not have to import fuel.” The most likely type for Australia was a natural uran-ium-fuelled, heavy watermoderated reactor of the type under close investigation in many countries, including Canada, the United States, Britain and Sweden "There is a tremendous upsurge of interest in these reactors," Mr Timbs said "The bigger the nuclear power plant, the greater its cost advantage. As far as I know, Britain is unlikely to build future plants smaller than 600 megawatts.” New Zealand and Australia could hardly expect to develop power reactors of their owm, said Mr Timbs. But there was certainly no reason for New Zealand to be behind in the training of nuclear scientists and engineers because there was no research reactor in the country. "A reactor is not necessary for the training needed." said Mr Timbs. "After all, we have two reactors. and we still send many of our people overseas for training. You cannot stand aloof from what is going on in the rest of the world.”