Jordan Names Russian Company and French-Japanese Consortium on Nuclear Shortlist

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) has shortlisted Russia's state-owned Atomstroyexport (Moscow) and the ATMEA consortium of Areva SA (ENX:AREVA) (Paris, France) and Mitsubishi Corporation (PINK:MSBHY) (Tokyo, Japan) for the final selection to build the country's first nuclear power plant.

The commission will now continue discussions with the two selected bidders to resolve outstanding technical issues, including the site selection process, which will lead to the selection of the site before the end of 2012. The technology to be used in the reactor will also be announced at that time.

The final agreement to construct the reactor will be signed in the second half of 2013, followed by the construction phase. Jordan is planning further nuclear power projects and aims to have 60% of its energy needs supplied by nuclear power by 2035. The first power from the new project should be fed to the grid by 2019.

The country is more than 90% dependent on imported oil and natural gas from Arab countries in the region. This has motivated a $15 billion investment plan for renewable and nuclear power.

The World Nuclear Association (WNA) reports that currently 45 countries are considering nuclear power programs in countries ranging from sophisticated economies to developing nations. The WNA says that the frontrunners in nuclear planning are the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Vietnam, Belarus, Poland and Jordan.

For related information, see October 24, 2011, article - Jordan's Nuclear Program Seeks Participation from Japan and South Korea.

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