Nuclear industry takes shape in the Gulf

Nuclear industry takes shape in the Gulf

Key decision expected soon in UAE on developing Arab world’s first
independent civil nuclear power programme

A new industry is swiftly taking shape around what is expected to be the Arab world’s first independent civil nuclear power programme, according to an engineering, safety and risk management consultancy.

“Several Gulf Cooperation Council countries have shown interest in nuclear energy – including Kuwait and Qatar – but it is in the United Arab Emirates where moves to establish a legal and regulatory framework for the new industry are at an advanced stage with firm decisions expected any time now,” said Pat Lawless, CEO of ESR Technology, a company with operational bases in the UK and the Middle East.

“The oil and gas industry is vital to the economies of the Arabian Gulf but we are now beginning to see a new high technology industry quickly growing in the region as the UAE presses on with its nuclear power plans,” he added. The potential UAE investment in a nuclear programme has been estimated at $60 billion.

ESR Technology is heavily involved in the Middle East carrying out high-level asset integrity consultancy for the oil and gas industries in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman but is also consulted by the nuclear industry worldwide.

“By virtue of our origins in the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the work we carry out for the nuclear industry internationally, ESR Technology hopes to be part of that growth because of our unique experience of the technical, management, licensing and regulatory issues that will affect the nascent UAE nuclear industry,” Lawless said.

According to an official forecast, annual peak demand for electricity in the UAE is likely to rise to more than 40,000 megawatts by 2020 – an annual growth rate of 9%. A recent government study said known volumes of natural gas were insufficient to meet that demand and burning oil liquids or coal-fired power generation were seen as environmentally unfriendly.

Nuclear power generation emerged in the study as an “environmentally promising and commercially competitive option which could make a significant contribution to the UAE’s economy and future energy security.” In the meantime, the UAE has signed memorandums of understanding on nuclear energy with France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. Reactors from France and the United States are being assessed and teams from international companies have begun establishing the nascent UAE nuclear industry.

The federal government has also set up the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation with responsibilities that include the promotion and preparatory activities required to facilitate the deployment of peaceful civil nuclear power. In addition, the UAE has pledged $10 million towards an International Atomic Energy Authority administered low-enriched uranium fuel bank to ensure a nuclear fuel supply.

“There is little doubt that nuclear power generation offers the UAE one of the better ways to diversify from heavy reliance on scarce natural gas whilst also lowering some of the highest carbon footprints in the world,” said Dr Michael Pambos, UAE-based Vice President of ESR Technology.

“Key decisions on the UAE nuclear programme are expected soon,” he added. “If, as expected, the UAE opts to go nuclear there will need to be robust licensing and regulation to ensure that safety requirements are met during the design and construction, operation and maintenance as well as the future decommissioning phases of nuclear plants.

“The clear demonstration of safety to satisfy internal and external regulators will be vital to the smooth operation of nuclear plants. The operators must also be required to strive to achieve continuous improvements in safety and reliability as well as output.”