Russia to Proceed with Jordan's 2,000 Megawatt Nuclear Power Project

---

Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Jordan's proposed nuclear power project finally appears to be ready to proceed following the signing of a draft agreement by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the Jordanian government.

In 2010, the $3.1 billion Al Mafraq 1,100-megawatt (MW) nuclear project was anticipated for completion in mid-2022. In the newly announced project, one unit is scheduled to be operational by 2024 and the second unit in 2026.

In October, Russia's Rosatom (Moscow) was named as the preferred bidder for the construction of a nuclear plant, with two units, each with a generating capacity of 1,000 MW.

State-owned Rosatom will form a joint venture (JV) and hold 49.9% of the equity, and Jordan will hold 51.1%. Russian television news media reported the agreement as saying, "The construction and operation of nuclear power plants will be financed with investments attracted in the markets of Russia, Jordan and third-party countries."

The draft agreement was reported as being made with "due account of Russia's international liabilities and in line with Russia laws." This covers the subject of nuclear fuel supplied by Russian authorized organizations to the reactor. The material will be shipped back to Russia after use.

The draft agreement also prohibits the use of nuclear materials, equipment and technologies in the manufacture of nuclear weapons or other explosive devices, or for any purpose other than the generation of electricity. The Russian government expects the Jordanian project will open up gateways for more long-term orders.

For related information see November 5, 2013, article - Skeptics Voice Concerns as Jordan Pushes Construction of First Nuclear Plant and November 1, 2013 - Jordan Selects Russia's Rosatom to Build First 2,000 Megawatt Nuclear Plant.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, three offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.