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Chile eyes nuclear power as
valid option
Chile is bracing for its era of
nuclear power, with the Southern
American country's top nuclear
scientist declaring "readiness
for the moment."
"We have the responsibility of
being ready for the moment when
a decision is made," Roberto
Hojman, the Chilean Commission
of Nuclear Power, said on
Sunday, quoted by the local
press.
At a ceremony to mark the 41st
anniversary of the commission,
Hojman stressed the need for
boosting power supply to meet
the increasing demand from the
economic development.
He said the situation "makes us
consider the option of the
nuclear fission as a possible
source of electric power,"
although "this alternative is
not yet put on the agenda."
It is "a valid choice," as there
are already 440 nuclear plants
across the world and more than
40 others under construction.
Nuclear power plants in 30
countries, including the United
States, France, Japan, the
United Kingdom and South Korea,
are supplying 16 percent of the
world's total electricity,
according to Chilean scientists.
They believe progress in science
and technology has made it
possible for a safe use of
nuclear power in Chile.
"The Chernobyl-style nuclear
plants are out of date and out
of mind," Hojman said.
Claudio Tenreiro, the former
manager of the commission, said
that enriched uranium for a
nuclear plant has been
downgraded nearly 20 percent
from Uranium 235 to Uranium 238,
rendering it unsuitable for
making an atomic bomb.
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