Nuclear Expansion of Russia: Plans for Nuclear Power Plant in Jordan

Ivan Gromov, White Square Journal / According to the statement made by the Head of the National Nuclear Program, Jordan is almost ready to start the construction of the first from two nuclear reactors made in Russia. Works are expected to start in the beginning of 2017, and the reactor will be constructed in 2024.

Jordan was one of the first countries in the Middle East which planned to introduce nuclear power engineering enterprises into its energy system. The country aims to meet the needs of modern times, to improve its energy assurance and reduce dependence on imported energy resources.

Russia has already announced a desire to have its niche in the development of the nuclear energy industry in this region, and it is not going to give up. Iran was the first country in the Middle East which after being aware of the nuclear energy importance started the construction of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in 1975. The plant could start its operation only in 2011 due to help of Russia.

After a long tender process, which began in 2007, Jordan has chosen the Russian model of two reactors AES 92, which are going to be constructed in 80 kilometers south-east of Amman City. The project costs $ 10 billion. However, the agreement on ownership and financing has not been reached yet.

For the reason that the demand for electricity is growing in the region Iran has announced a desire to construct two more 1,000 megawatt reactors in 2020. The Russian Federation Energy Minister said that the cost of the project was $ 11 billion.

Turkey is also planning to construct the first reactor on its territory next year. The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant will have four reactors with total capacity of 4800 megawatt.

In February of this year Egypt signed the Letter of Intent, which was the result of negotiations with Russia on the construction of the first reactor. In June Saudi Arabia, seeking for increasing the capacity up to 17 megawatt, also signed a Cooperation Treaty with the Russian Federation.

Thus, Rosatom (the state corporation, founded in 2007, the number of employees: 300 thousand people) is becoming a leading player in the global nuclear power industry.

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