3 Jul (NucNet): Canada is to work with Jordan on assessing the feasibility of launching a domestic nuclear power programme.
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and engineering and construction group SNC-Lavalin signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Amman, Jordan on 28 June 2008 with the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission.
The MOU covers a range of areas of cooperation that could lead to construction of Jordan’s first nuclear power plant based on the Enhanced CANDU 6 (EC-6) reactor and outlines collaboration over a three-year period on engineering and economic studies aimed at demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of a Candu programme in Jordan.
An assessment will be made of infrastructure development requirements and a site selection process will assess the feasibility of building an EC-6 reactor within Jordan’s regulatory requirements.
AECL said collaboration would also include studies on fuel fabrication facilities, technology transfer, “manpower training and ongoing support to ensure the potential use of Jordan’s uranium resources” in a Candu nuclear power program.
Ken Petrunik, president of Candu’s Reactor Division at AECL, said: “AECL's EC-6 reactor is the ideal size for compatibility with Jordan's electricity grid, and with its natural uranium fuel cycle and fuel conversion capability, the EC-6 can help Jordan become more energy self-sufficient.”
In 2007, King Abdullah of Jordan called for proposals for the launch of a nuclear power programme in his country to be "speeded up".
Jordan’s minister of energy and mineral resources said in May 2007 that Jordan faced “challenges” in launching a nuclear energy programme. The minister said consideration would also be given to the development of Jordan’s estimated 80,000 tonnes of uranium reserves – about 2 percent of known recoverable resources of uranium worldwide – with a further 100,000 tonnes that could be extracted from phosphates.
– by John Shepherd
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
IAEA Team Prepares To Help Jordan Plan Nuclear Energy (News No. 111, 8 May 2007)
'Speed Up Nuclear Plans' For Jordan, Says King (News in Brief No. 22, 29 August 2007)
