Atomic push: Positive energy

Abu DHABI- The UAE's $60 billion (Dh220 billion) push over the next few decades to build a raft of new nuclear generating stations powered by outsourced nuclear fuel is the best way to provide peaceful energy solutions in the Gulf, says a federal think tank.

Energy conference

Ahead of its annual energy conference from November 16-18, the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) says to keep the "balance of peace" in the region and the world, emerging nuclear countries would be better served to outsource nuclear fuel from established nuclear powers instead of producing it.

In its paper Nuclear Energy in the Gulf, the ECSSR said that there is "an obvious need to devise and enforce strict regulations for the organisation and supervision of all phases of the nuclear fuel cycle.

"This requires a strengthening of regional security and it is important that the initiative of leasing fuel and returning it after use be subjected to further international debate and refinement in order to prevent nuclear proliferation."

The centre said that nuclear power is growing in popularity and "despite the risks of using nuclear energy, there are around 436 nuclear power reactors worldwide providing 15 per cent of the world's electricity needs".

The UAE, for example, has declared in a policy agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it will not build its own uranium enrichment facilities, but rather lease fuel for its atomic plants.

The IAEA and the UAE signed an agreement in April allowing the IAEA to conduct inspections of new reactors - following the "123 Agreement" signed earlier this year by the UAE and the US, which embodies a nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security pact.

Iran controversy

The centre states that "in view of the ongoing controversy surrounding Iran's uranium enrichment programme, continuing concern among Arab states regarding Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal and numerous announcements from Arab states of their intention to launch their own nuclear programmes, some have warned of the possibility of a regional nuclear arms race… major emphasis will need to be placed on the application of non-proliferation structures to bolster international confidence and acceptance of nuclear programmes in the region".