Since the prime minister is pondering the supply of cheap energy for Jamalco, I would dare to suggest that he consider one of the new fifth-generation nuclear reactors.

These reactors - known as PBMRs (Pebble Bed Modular Reactors) - can be supplied by our friends in China and South Africa and will produce energy cheaper than any other source. They are fail-safe in that the fission is controlled completely and the spectre of nuclear fallout is virtually impossible.

This aspect should be clearly defined and made public before irresponsible parties try to sound the alarm to an ignorant public. Nuclear reactors have been developed with safety features over the many years since the incident at Chernobyl, and many of the dangers which can be due to human error have been eliminated.

PBMRs are modular and the smallest unit, costing US$400 million, can produce over 400 megawatts energy per hour, which would increase Jamaica's output potential by over 30 per cent. This would more than compensate for the extremely high rates charged to the consumer of almost 10 times the cost by nuclear generation.

The other cheap alternative is coal, which costs more for the energy generated. Mining and side effects of coal-mining results in the loss of thousands of lives each year, which is never recorded. Since we have no coal mines of our own, it would also entail the commitment of sea-going vessels port facilities and land acreage, which could be more beneficially utilised.

Uranium

Uranium, on the other hand, is a more stable market, uses very little space for storage, and the exhausted pellets can be more safely disposed of.

The entire effect would be to reduce the costs of alumina production and if the excess energy is added to the JPS' grid, and the reduction passed on to the consumer, Jamaica would be able to attract investors in production.

Since China considers us a most favourable nation, I am sure that they would be willing to put us at the top of the waiting list for these PBMRs. The result would be true synergism for lasting success.

I am, etc.,

DONALD CHUNG

dontruly@yahoo.com

Kingston 6