Nuclear power comes closer as UAE accept key protocols

The federal Government agrees to three international conventions on nuclear safety in preparation for a formal launch of the country's nuclear power programme.

ABU DHABI // The federal Government has agreed to three international conventions on nuclear safety in preparation for a formal launch of the country's nuclear power programme, expected within the month. The Government's representatives at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gave notice of "accession", meaning that the UAE would accept IAEA standards on safety and security for nuclear power plants, radioactive fuel, and spent waste, WAM, the state news agency reported.
The notice to the IAEA, an international watchdog on nuclear energy, is one of the last formalities before expected approval of a nuclear programme. The announcement is due before September 16, the day officials are expected to award a contract to one of three consortia of foreign firms to build and operate the country's reactors. The reactors are seen as the answer to a looming shortage of electricity over the next two decades as consumption continues to grow rapidly and natural gas runs short.
The Government's IAEA representative, Hamad al Kaabi, said the UAE's acceptance of the conventions on Friday was a culmination of efforts to present the country as a peaceful and transparent contender to join the nuclear club. "This is a major milestone for the UAE and represents the fulfilment of all commitments made by the UAE relating to the latter's accession to various international instruments during its evaluation of a peaceful nuclear energy programme," he said.
The UAE said it would join the Convention on Nuclear Safety, a set of standards for reactor siting, construction and operations; the Joint Convention, which covers the protection and safe storage of nuclear waste; and the Convention on Physical Protection, which sets regulations for the defence of nuclear plants and fuel against security threats. The UAE first announced its intention to pursue a nuclear energy programme last year and pledged to work with foreign partners and the IAEA to establish model standards for safety and security.
The Government said it would not enrich uranium, a process that can be used to produce nuclear weapons, and said it would import uranium fuel for the plants and export waste. Three consortia are vying for an estimated US$40 billion (Dh150bn) contract to build and operate the fleet of reactors. The contenders include a group of South Korean firms led by Korea Electric Power Corporation, a group of French firms comprising Areva, GDF Suez, Total and Electricité de France, and a group of firms from the US and Japan that reportedly includes General Electric and Hitachi.
The UAE has signed nuclear co-operation agreements with all four countries that allow the transfer of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. [e-mail]