Nuclear power programs in the Middle East

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1 Nuclear power programs in the Middle East by Fares Howari, PhD Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy Environmental Geoscientist, Bureau of Economic Geology University of Texas at Austin November 2008 Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy (CIEEP)

2 Nuclear Power is complex business! G r o u n d w a t e r w it h d r a w a ls a s p e r c e n t a g e o f s a f e y i e ld S a u d i A r a b i a % K u w a i t % Q a t a r G a z a B a h r a i n J o r d a n Actual Predicted Billions of barrels World Annual Oil Production ( ) and Estimated Resources ( ) Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy (CIEEP)

3 Energy Goals in the MENA Secure 30% of future needs of electricity and process heat for industrial applications and seawater desalination from nuclear power by 2030.

4 Fig. Nuclear reactors under construction, planned, and under consideration world wide

5 ME Nuclear Technology Programme Interest in nuclear power in the Region is not new As far as 1994, the Arab League urged its member states to enhance education in nuclear science and technology In 2006, the Arab League reiterated its call and more specifically for establishing a regional reactor project Officials from the Gulf Co- operation Council (GCC), in their December 2006 meeting, said they were exploring the possibility of creating a shared nuclear programme The Arab League, at the end of its summit meeting in March 2007, "called on the Arab states to expand the use of peaceful nuclear technology in all domains serving continuous development." Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy (CIEEP)

6 Jordan Recent Developments Recently reached nuclear cooperation deals with the China, France, Britain, and hopes to approve similar with USA, Canada, Russia, Romania and the Czech Republic (some already approved). GCC In February, 2007, the IAEA promised the GCC to provide technical expertise to speed up their plan UAE, Recently promised by France assistance in launching its civilian nuclear programme March 22, 2008, Bahrain signed a deal with the United States to cooperate on civilian nuclear power. Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy (CIEEP)

7 Recent Developments Egypt Planning to build 4 reactors with the first to be completed within the next 10 years most likely at El- Dabaa, about 60 miles west of Alexandria. Algeria Signed with Russia an agreement on nuclear development in January 2007 and in June a MoU with USA Libya Recently signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with France

8 Lack of interest in RE/ GE/ UE including Nuclear is related to: The presence of large fossil fuel resources, the lack of appropriate funds, the high risk as well as the lack of environmental awareness. The presence of inadequate institutions responsible for the RE development and lack of coordination among them Lack of coordination among national planning offices on one side and regional and international organizations operating in the respective countries Conflict of interest resulting from the promotion of alternative energy sources e.g. Patlitzianas et al., Energy Policy 34 (2006) Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy (CIEEP)

9 What motivates Nuclear Energy High fuel oil cost > $100/bbl Programs in the MENA? Insecure fuel oil supply In some MENA countries like GCC locally consumed oil deducted from its reserves and/or decreases its income. The increases in the emission of greenhouse gases have stimulated a large interest to invest in nuclear power. Presently, NE is the only economically large scale alternative to fossil fuel for generation of electricity and desalted water. Renewable energy like solar, wind, geothermal..etc have limited capacity, questionable development in near future??

10 Conditions Required to Use Nuclear Energy to generate Power (NPP) and Desalt Water NE should be clearly more economical than most efficient gas/steam turbine combined cycle (GSCC). NPP usually has high capacity. Does need exist for this capacity?

11 Additional conditions Electric grid large enough to accept generating mix of NPP high capacity Government committed to: secure NPP safe operation, complete its nuclear fuel cycle with IAEA help; and impose legal aspect Country has industrial base and the human resources needed for NPP

12 Challenges for the Region NPP Standing problems of nuclear waste disposal, NPP de-commissioning, radioactive contaminations, high capital costs, lack of nuclear fuel technology Dependency on foreign countries to supply fuel for NPP Not enough qualified personnel for safe operation and maintenance, (training takes time and money!)

13 Cont..Challenges for the Region NPP Stimulating private investments, Establishing education and training programs that are among the world s best programs. Invest in the options of standardization versus diversification in the nuclear reactor types. Invest in uranium mining and exploration to secure future resources.

14 Major Methods of Mining Uranium

15 Maintaining close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and countries with advanced nuclear technology and fuel cycle capabilities to ensure safety and compliance at all levels.

16 To-do list for the Region NPP Development of higher education and vocational programs to train a cadre of highly qualified engineers and technicians on all aspect of nuclear power technology, reactor design, construction, maintenance, and operation. Establish related effective Research and Development (R&D) infrastructure.

17 Trends in nuclear education Trends in nuclear education and training vary from country to country, and are closely tied to overall educational patterns in fields of science and technology. Aspects of NP problems are in change, and some have improved over time.

18 Nuclear education program Societal acceptance of nuclear energy has not improved as rapidly as the other problematic aspects. Nuclear education program is an effective means to deal with these variables and can help building confidence in societies about their choice of energy options

19 Societal acceptance of nuclear energy Envisioned is a global network of experts in Nuclear Energy who are interested in participating in a community effort to help others learn truths and controversies (T&C) about nuclear energy.

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21 Network of Interest University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Technology US-DOE programs Asian Network for Education in Nuclear Technology (ANENT) European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) World Nuclear University (WNU)

22 To-do list Development of a regulatory, safety and licensing board of highly qualified personnel and with a government oversight and assistance from the IAEA and other countries with advanced capabilities and expertise.

23 A Standing Question

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25 Conclusion Major Constrains for Nuclear Power would be the availability of uranium and future successes of a global effort to develop a proliferation proof fuel cycle, ensure reliable access, at reasonable cost, to nuclear fuel, provide safe and secure processing of spent fuel, and ensure a sound disposal of nuclear waste

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27 Conclusion The barriers facing the development of the nuclear industry are being addressed favorably Public acceptance Reactor and fuel cycle safety Disposal of high-level nuclear waste Proliferation risk Nuclear security Near term challenges Human resources and related capacity building High investment cost Security issues Waste issues (transportation and disposal)