Nuclear energy for Gulf a step closer

[abdulla]

Originally Posted by Gulf Daily News

Nuclear power stations could soon become a reality for most Gulf states, Bahrain's Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) revealed yesterday after talks with the world's nuclear watchdog. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has almost completed a draft feasibility study on nuclear energy in the GCC, the MEW said in a statement. MEW assistant undersecretary of planning and projects Dr Khalid Ahmed Burashid has returned from joint GCC talks with the IAEA in Vienna last week, where it was revealed a final report on the initiative can be expected as soon as March next year.
That report will help decide whether the controversial technology is adopted by the six-nation bloc.
The MEW statement yesterday gave a strong hint at the prevailing mood among the states when it noted that despite large reserves of fossil fuels "it is felt necessary at this point in time to deploy the nuclear option".
Dr Burashid represented Bahrain at the meeting, where GCC and IAEA officials convened to discuss a feasibility study on the possibility of using nuclear energy to generate electricity and water "safely and economically".
The MEW's statement said whatever means are chosen to meet these needs will prove crucial to the future success of nations in the region.
"The working group for the joint study between the concerned and expert staff of the GCC and IAEA agreed on the importance of making the study focussed on meeting the ever increasing demand for electrical power and desalinated water in the GCC states - those being the two essential elements for achieving sustainable development plans for the member states," the Ministry said.
The preliminary draft report on the subject is now almost complete and includes sections looking at the infrastructure needed for a nuclear energy project, required regulatory legislation and assembling a workforce for any new nuclear-powered installation.
The preliminary draft will be further debated by the IAEA in meetings to be held in Vienna on Saturday (September 1).
The completed draft will then be presented to a GCC-IAEA meeting to be held in Riyadh on October 24, before a final draft is submitted to the GCC by the IAEA by March 5 next year.
The construction of nuclear power stations in GCC countries is a contentious issue, with the obvious benefits in the shape of cleaner, cheaper energy provision to the region's growing populations off-set for many by the dangers of hosting potentially hazardous nuclear materials.
However, earlier this month the Bahrain-based director of the regional organisation tasked with drawing up marine disaster plans in the event of a leak from Iran's Bushehr nuclear installation told GDN nuclear energy is the way forward for the GCC.
"I would recommend using nuclear power instead of gas or oil as fuel for power stations," said Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (Memac) director Captain Abdul Munem Al Janahi.
"New nuclear power stations are much cleaner and safer and the chance of a leak or a Chernobyl incident is almost nil.
"In a small state like Bahrain, one small nuclear station could give you as much power as the country wants, and save building stations around the country.
"The country would have all the power it needs and it would be cleaner and safer."

source: Gulf Daily News