Atomic Technology

By Muhammad Waqas,

The UAE and Saudi Arabia are continuing to rapidly develop nuclear technology to cut down their reliance on fossil fuels for energy. The UAE became the first regional country to launch a civil nuclear programme in 2008. Since then, the UAE has entered into nuclear cooperation deals with the US, UK and Russia to enhance its expertise in nuclear energy. Over the next 20 years, Saudi Arabia plans to construct 16 nuclear power reactors worth an estimated $80 billion. With the first reactor expected to be on line in 2022, the Kingdom is striving to develop about 17 gigawatt-electric (GWe) of nuclear capacity by 2032. This would account for about 15% of the total energy requirements of the oil-rich nation. Saudi Arabia has also concluded nuclear treaties with France and China for electricity generation, water desalination and applications in other sectors of the economy. Other countries like Jordan and Egypt are negotiating with potential nuclear vendors, while Turkey is all set for the construction of up to four nuclear reactors.
When Qatar signed a memorandum of cooperation with Russia in 2010 on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, it was expected that it would push ahead for greater adoption of atomic technology. Back in 2006, Qatar and the other five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states  declared that they were looking to explore the potential of nuclear energy for power and desalination projects. By 2008, Kahramaa  (the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation) had entered into discussions with Russia to utilise new Russian floating nuclear power plants. The initiative was part of Qatar’s ambitions to add up to 5,400 MW of nuclear capacity between 2011 and 2036. The floating nuclear plants could be used not only to generate electricity but also to desalinate water. However, Qatar decided to overlook nuclear energy and explore other renewable energy sources based on an in-depth assessment of its needs and policy stance on safe use of nuclear energy.

Qatar’s decision was primarily influenced by the findings of a study to determine the viability of an independent nuclear programme.

Qatar’s decision was primarily influenced by the findings of a study to determine the viability of an independent nuclear programme. The report favoured Qatar’s participation in any possible regional nuclear generation project rather than developing an intensive indigenous programme. Interestingly, two new, recently-conducted studies have declared Qatar’s proposed nuclear power programme economically feasible. Carried out for Kahramaa, the studies concluded that the nuclear programme was cost-effective based on the assumption that oil prices do not drop lower than $55 per barrel. In the current global scenario, such a drastic fall in oil prices is unlikely to occur. However, Qatar has yet to undertake a technical viability study on the proposed nuclear programme.

On the back of strong economic performance, the demand for electricity in Qatar has grown by around 17% in the past two years. Electricity demand is likely to create considerable pressure in the next five years. Qatar will need an additional capacity of 1,269 MW of power by 2016. By 2015, electricity demand is expected to jump to over 9,180 MW. At the same time, a Kahramaa survey reveals that total water demand will exceed 300 million gallons a day by 2015.
Desalination of water remains a highly energy-intensive process in Qatar, accounting for up to 20% of the nation’s electricity requirements. According to Abdulla Majid Al Khulaifi, Head of Conservation Technology in the Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department at Kahramaa, “the demand for water, which is supplied at a subsidised rate across Qatar, is rising. A number of recent studies on water consumption have found that Qatar’s per capita water consumption is the highest in world. As a result, the conservation of electricity and water is the need of the hour.” Enjoying one of the highest solar irradiation rates in the world, Qatar has preferred the use of solar energy over any other renewable energy source to power its desalination plants.

Aspiring nuclear powers in the Middle East, such as Jordan and Turkey, have also been troubled by an increase in public protests and mistrust of the official word.

Another area of concern regarding atomic technology is the need for improving controls and strengthening nuclear security in the Middle East. While most countries approve peaceful use of nuclear technology, they are also wary of the potent threat of nuclear terrorism in the region. Further, adoption of nuclear technology requires the implementation of strict safety standards that may be difficult to adhere to in the Middle East’s infant nuclear industry. According to Samuel Ciszuk, senior energy analyst for the Middle East and North Africa at IHS Global Insight, “Europe and America go a step too far by adding an unnecessary amount of safety levels. All these safety mechanisms added on top reduce the cost efficiency.”  It may also be inconvenient to locate land-based nuclear plants in special safety zones in geographically small countries like Qatar.
The recent pact between Iran and Western nations has once again sparked concerns about the peaceful use of nuclear technology in the Arab region. Salman Shaikh, head of the Brookings Doha Center, believes that “there is genuine desire in this region for making the Middle East a nuclear-free zone. What happens with the Iranians is actually very crucial, and if we’re not careful, we will start to have a proliferation of nuclear activities.” Therefore international agencies need to play a greater role in the implementation of effective nuclear security and safety systems in the region.
Aspiring nuclear powers in the Middle East, such as Jordan and Turkey, have also been troubled by an increase in public protests and mistrust of the official word. The negative public opinion about nuclear energy highlights the failure of Middle Eastern countries to engage all relevant stakeholders in developing an understanding of its benefits. Policymakers have not done enough to allay the fears of the general public, especially in the aftermath of Japan’s Fukushima disaster in 2011. John Banks, an analyst at the Brookings Institution, asserts that countries pursuing nuclear technology in the region need to “develop a legal and regulatory framework, put in place the human resources capabilities, and allocate sufficient funding to ensure that this sector is operating according to the highest standards”. Although Middle Eastern governments may fully recognise these challenges, great effort is needed to overcome them. They need to articulate long-term development strategies related to some of the most sensitive aspects of their nuclear programmes.
In conclusion, the pursuit of civil nuclear technology by Middle Eastern countries is limited not only by their institutional and human capacity, but also by concerns surrounding the safe use of such technology. Although significant financial resources are at the disposal of these states, their governments face several technical, institutional and strategic issues to run these nuclear programmes in a competent and sustainable manner.

http://www.qatartodayonline.com/the-middle-easts-nuclear-dream-far-from-reality/