Middle East: Gulf states may opt for N-power

Nuclear power plants could be built in the Gulf, following talks with international experts in Vienna.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has almost completed a draft feasibility study on nuclear energy in the GCC, Bahrain’s Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) revealed yesterday after talks with the world’s nuclear watchdog.
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 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.

TradeArabia