The Jordanian government has signed a deal with Spain as part of moves to accumulate cooperation agreements for its peaceful nuclear program.
The signing of the nuclear cooperation agreement (NCA) with Spain, which covers areas such as exchange of expertise, nuclear fuel management and the drafting of legislation, is the eighth such deal that Jordan has signed so far.
Previous deals have been signed with France, China, South Korea, Canada, Russia, the United Kingdom and Argentina. Talks are currently being held with Romania and the Czech Republic.
The collaboration deal with Spain also covers the establishing of a government appointed commission to oversee all aspects of the nuclear program in addition to regulations regarding public information.
Two Memorandums of Understanding have been signed with the United States and Japan as precursors to nuclear cooperation deals.
“The introduction of nuclear power to a country is a very challenging and long process,” Dr. Ned Xoubi, Commissioner for Nuclear Fuel Cycle with Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, told The Media Line. “It requires planning, relentless hard work and over ten years’ commitment.”
“Jordan’s nuclear program has been going full thrust with developing the required infrastructure,” he said. “We started with human resource development and the establishment of a nuclear engineering education program, modernized the legal framework and issued new nuclear laws and regulations, sought cooperation with nuclear developed nations, explored for nuclear materials like uranium, and started the study for NPP [Nuclear Power Plant] site selection and licensing.”
The plant is set to be located 12 km east of the Aqaba coastline along the Red Sea in Sothern Jordan and is expected to generate 750 - 1,100 megawatts of electricity initially.
While Jordan has not been blessed with the oil reserves of its neighbors Saudi Arabia and Iraq, recent explorations showed that Jordan might be rich in uranium instead.
“For Jordan, an energy-resources deprived country currently importing 95% of its energy needs, having an indigenous energy resource like uranium is of vital importance,” Xoubi said. “Uranium mining would also provide a boost for Jordan’s nuclear program, add jobs, bring technical know-how and boost our economy.”
“Jordan is conducting an intensive uranium exploration program working with major partners like Areva and Rio-Tinto, with a budget that will exceed $12 million this year and $16 million next year,” he said. “Should the outcome [prove fruitful] enough to build and develop a mine, then we are talking energy security and less dependence on oil imports for Jordan.”
“A lot has been done, and much more is required,” Xoubi added. “If all goes well then we could see the first power plant around 2020.”
As numerous countries in the Gulf region are currently pursuing nuclear energy programs, most notably the United Arab Emirates, Jordan would doubly benefit if its
Uranium reserves proved large enough to make mining commercially viable. The resource would both relieve the country of costly oil imports required for its energy needs and it would provide the country with a much sought after export commodity.
The Media Line