Penang parries radioactive allegations vs Bosch solar panel plant

The Penang government insists that the Bosch solar panel plant planned for Batu Kawan is safe and free from radioactive waste.

InvestPenang executive committee chairman Datuk Lee Kah Choon said that examination of Bosch’s solar project in Penang by the relevant authorities showed that the processes, usage of raw materials, as well as wastes generation were “radioactive free”.

He added that the project site at Batu Kawan was approved by the Department of Environment.

Lee pointed out that similar photovoltaic plants were in operation in other states, such as AUO Sunpower in Melaka and MEMC in Sarawak.

Penang Gerakan Youth public service bureau chief, Rich Too had attacked the project earlier this month, saying that the solar cell manufacturing process released toxic waste that could pollute the environment.

He had also criticised the DAP-led Penang state government for not having public consultation before giving the project the go-ahead.

Too’s coalition counterpart, MCA Central Committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker accused the Penang state government of double standards when it had accepted the safety recommendations of the DoE in the case of the Bosch plant but not in the case of Lynas.

Atomic Energy Licensing Board director-general Raja Abdul Aziz Adnan assured that the solar plant would “produce radioactive material” and it would not be allowed to operate without an AELB permit.

Parti Cinta Malaysia’s vice president Huan Cheng Guan, the ex-Batu Kawan member of parliament, was also quoted as asking for the solar plant’s waste disposal plans to be revealed.

The RM2.2 billion Batu Kawan plant, which has a capacity for 640megawattsa year, was to have commenced construction at the end of last ear and was slated to start operations in 2013.

It was since been delayed however after prices for solar panels and raw materials fell last year as manufacturers in China ramped up production and European governments cut back on subsidies leading to excess capacity.

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