GCC nations meet at nuclear energy forum

Officials from the UAE and the GCC nations have assembled in the capital to discuss issues relating to the implementation of legislation regarding nuclear security, safety and safeguards. The five-day seminar aims at exploring best practices and provisions for nuclear safety 
legislation.

Attending the seminar are 70 high ranking delegates representing critical industries supporting and surrounding the delivery of peaceful nuclear power programmes across the region. Also attending the seminar are officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, the State Regulatory Authority, law enforcement, police, intelligence, Customs and other government bodies.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) event is being organised in partnership with the Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA), the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

In his inaugural speech, Staff Brigadier Pilot Shaikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman CNIA, hoped the conference will help develop positive steps towards promoting and implementing the principles behind nuclear safety and security. He was confident that the conference will lay the basis for national policies and procedures for ensuring high levels of transparency, security, nuclear safety and non-proliferation.

The delegates will participate in a series of lectures, workshops and discussions outlining the IAEA’s requirements and recommendations in the area of nuclear safety and their applications, as well as presentations on the international instruments and synergies between safety, security and safeguards.

Mohamed Al Shamsi, Director of Nuclear Security at CNIA, said that the regulatory framework for the security and safety of nuclear infrastructure is of critical importance.

He termed it as a ‘fundamental’ element in the development of an effective and secure civil nuclear programme. “We are looking ahead to contributing to the discussions ahead and sharing and hearing best practices from across the GCC,” Al Shamsi said.

Source: Khaleej Times Online

Qatar is considering nuclear energy as alternative

Qatar is exploring nuclear energy as an alternative to LNG to fuel the country’s power and water desalination plants, the Oxford Business Group said in a report.
The country is facing a soaring demand for electricity and water amid population growth and large-scale commercial and residential projects.
Qatar’s demand for electricity is estimated to grow at 17% per annum, the highest in the region, the Oxford Business Group said in its ‘The report Qatar 2009’.
Although boasts huge natural gas reserves, much of the current production is scheduled for LNG exports and industrial use.
Nuclear energy, therefore, emerged as an alternative to natural gas to fuel the country’s power and desalination plants.
Qatar is studying the possibility of adding up to 5400MW of nuclear capacity as the demand for energy is expected to see double-digit growth in the next few years.
In August 2008 demand for electricity peaked at 3990MW, which is just below the total capacity of 4302MW.

“The possibility of using nuclear energy is becoming more widespread around the world, as governments come under pressure to diversify their energy sources and limit their greenhouse gas emissions”, Oxford Business Group said.
“For others, especially those having fossil fuel reserves, going nuclear offers the opportunity to wean a country away from dependence on oil and gas”.

In December 2006, following a summit in Riyadh, Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member countries released a statement announcing plans to seek nuclear energy technology.The six-nation group had said it would form a joint committee to study the options for nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
The GCC countries are signatories to the IAEA’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, meaning that they need to first get permission of the nuclear watchdog and then meet certain obligations.
IAEA officials responded to the overture, saying the Gulf countries were good examples of countries that recognise the role that safety, security and non-proliferation play in developing nuclear energy, Oxford Business Group said.
In January last year, French President Nicholas Sarkozy had paid a state visit to Doha where he signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar “to discuss co-operation in the production of nuclear power and renewable – solar and wind – energy.
Oxford Business Group quoted Brian Hunter, BP Qatar country manager as having said: “The renewable energy sector is at an early stage of development in Qatar.
“We are working to identify the areas where we can contribute the best renewable energy solutions through future joint ventures.”

Source: Gulf Times