Skeptics Voice Concerns as Jordan Pushes Construction of First Nuclear Plant

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The anti-nuclear lobby is on high alert in Jordan, as the pro-nuclear power lobby continues to gain support from industry observers, citing its ability to utilize renewable sources of green power in the fight to contain emissions of CO2.

Last week, the Jordanian government announced Russia's Rosatom would build a 2,000-megawatt (MW) plant in the desert, near capital city Amman.

For related information, see November 1, 2013, article - Jordan Selects Russia's Rosatom to Build First 2,000-Megawatt Nuclear Plant.

In reaction to the announcement, environmentalists and informed sources from the energy sector raised doubt regarding the project's physical feasibility, the non-proven reactor technology to be used, and the inevitability of massive project cost escalation. Additionally, former energy experts questioned the recently announced price tag of $10 billion, saying that the two reactors would cost at least $20 billion and could reach $60 billion after decommissioning costs, operating costs and insurance costs.

The Jordan Times reported that former atomic energy officials questioned the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission's (JAEC) claim that the Russian AES92 WER1000 reactor technology had a proven safety track-record. They noted that although the reactor technology was licensed, the only model that has been commissioned is under construction in India and is not operational.

Ned Xoubi, a former JAEC official and head of the country's research reactor program, commented on the Rosatom project: "Although this is a proven company, this technology is still very much an experimental technology; we simply do not know how and if it will work."

The proposed site for the project also was questioned, as it still has to be evaluated. It may not meet International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) criteria and its environmental impact is still unknown.

The Khirbet Samra wastewater treatment plant was proposed as the source of 50 million cubic meters of water per year for cooling functions, but it was pointed out that recent expansion at the plant, executed with assistance from the U.S. government, carried a restriction for the water to be used for agricultural purposes only.

If the two reactors come into operation as currently scheduled in 2021, they would supply about 40% of the country's power needs. But with a united front made up of politicians, environmentalists and the expert energy lobby, it can be assumed that the schedule and the project are due for some major revisions before construction plans begin. The current site was chosen after several years of studies on the feasibility of coastal sites.

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