Jordan to receive bids for nuclear reactors technology by end of June

Jordan will start receiving bids for nuclear technology to be used by the country's planned nuclear reactors by the end of June, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Khaled Toukan said Wednesday.

The bids include nuclear technology proposed by a coalition of France-Japan, Russia and Canada-China, he told reporters Wednesday.

The location of the country's first reactor will be selected by the end of 2011 and studies on the site will be completed by the end of 2012, said the minister.

Jordan's first nuclear reactor, which is expected to initially generate 1,100 megawatts of electricity, costs 4 billion U.S. dollars to 4.5 billion dollars, said Toukan.

He added that 30 percent of the cost of the reactor will be in cash and the rest through loans.

Stressing that the Jordanian peaceful nuclear program is vital for the Kingdom in addressing the issues of water and energy, he added that the rise in prices of gas and oil affects and limits the growth of the economy of the Kingdom, which imports about 96 percent annually of its energy needs.

The minister added that meetings will be held with several NGOs in Jordan to promote for the project, stressing the need for reaching a consensus on the project.

Jordan's first nuclear reactor is scheduled to be created within the next 10 years.

The Arab kingdom has signed nuclear cooperation agreements with several countries such as France, Turkey, South Korea, China, Canada, Russia, Britain, Spain, Argentina, Japan, Romania and Italy.

Source: Xinhua

	Weekly review