Board for the development of nuclear
energy in the UAE.
“So you need to have a stable force of
clean energy which is available around the
clock to back up any other system of power
generation.”
Of course there is no glossing over the
importance of the newcomers ensuring, in
cooperation with the IAEA, that their nuclear
facilities, whether advanced or traditional,
live up to the highest standards and require-
ments with regard to security.
Nuclear technology can have dual use,
peaceful or weaponized. An extensive and
eff ective international safeguards regime,
implemented by the IAEA, exists to contain the
potential proliferation of nuclear weapons.
However, because of their unique features,
advanced reactors do not easily fi t into the
existing national regulatory or international
governance regimes, according to the Global
Nexus Initiative’s report. In fact, they pose
new challenges for the safeguards system.
As such, they will be subject to new secu-
rity measures to help prevent a hostile out-
side attack, nuclear terrorism and insider
sabotage. “These new technologicalBernhard said: “Several countries with a
nuclear energy tradition and industry are
involved in the development of advanced
reactors.
“At the moment, it seems that in particu-
lar Russia and China have positioned them-
selves strongly, because of years of experi-
ence in this fi eld and state involvement in
fi nancing.
“There is a clear geopolitical angle to this.
For instance, the sale and servicing of new
facilities normally will promote and uphold
strong political and economic relations
between the providing and the receiving
countries for a long period of time.”
The peaceful use of nuclear energy has
been globally important for more than 60
years, resulting in 452 nuclear reactor units
i n 3 2 c o u n t r i e s , m o s t o f t h e m i n E u r o p e ,
North America, East Asia, and South Asia.
“Nuclear energy is clean and generates
24/7 so it’s a good companion to sun and
wind. Renewables such as solar and wind
are excellent sources of energy but depen-
dent on weather conditions, which aren’t
a l w a y s s t a b l e ,” s a i d L a d y J u d g e , w h o i s a l s o
a member of the International Advisory
c h a l l e n g e s m u s t b e e ff ectively addressed,”
the authors of “Advancing Nuclear Innova-
tion” say. “Several countries are focused on
developing advanced reactors, including
the US, Canada, South Korea, the UK, France,
Russia and China. But the lack of a developed
regulatory system and regulator experience
is a challenge for all nations.”
As advanced nuclear reactors move
through the design and development phase,
i t i s a l s o v i t a l t o h a v e w e l l - d e v e l o p e d t e s t
beds to demonstrate the technology, the
report says, adding that Russia and China
have an advantage in this area.
According to Dr. Peter Bode, a former asso-
ciate professor in nuclear science and tech-
nology at Delft University in the Netherlands,
the use of nuclear-power plants in the future
energy mix is beyond debate.
“Solar, wind and other renewables will
not be suffi cient,” he said. “But the future of
nuclear in the region is positive, with plants
in the UAE expected to be operational soon
and used as an example that will quickly be
followed by others.”
In a region where the future of oil and gas is
unknown, nuclear power is expected to play
a signifi cant role. “It is a good companion,
even currently, and certainly in the future,”
Lady Judge said.
“A n d t h a t f e e l i n g o f e n e r g y s e c u r i t y a n d
energy independence, which nuclear brings,
is one which many countries in the Gulf
would like to share.”Nuclear energy is clean and generates 24/7 so it’s a
good companion to sun and wind. Renewables such
as solar and wind are excellent sources of energy but
dependent on weather conditions, which aren’t always
stable.”
Lady Judge, UAE Nuclear
From a climate-change
standpoint, this may be
a valuable contribution
to the achievement of the
Paris Agreement goals
from some of the biggest
oil-producing countries,”
Bernhard said. “I would
expect that for various rea-
sons, several Gulf states
will be interested in includ-
ing nuclear energy, partly
from advanced reactors.”
John Bernhard,Partnership for Global
Security12 Utilities Middle East / August 2019 http://www.utilities-me.com
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