Gulf

(Bloomberg) — U.K. utilities risk falling behind with plans to build nuclear power plants because Middle East nations may use higher salaries to lure skilled workers, reactor builder Westinghouse Electric Co. said.

Oil-producing nations including the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait plan nuclear plants to meet growing energy demand at home while exporting fuel abroad. The U.A.E. plans to select companies to develop an atomic power program by the end of this year and has a 2017 target date for completing its first reactor, the same year Electricite de France SA plans to start a new British nuclear plant.

Nuclear power is undergoing a revival worldwide as governments look to limit dependence on fossil fuel and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 70 countries have expressed an interest in developing nuclear power programs, according to the IAEA. That will increase demands on the limited pool of nuclear engineers and technicians from countries already operating reactors.

Bloomberg