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Kuwait – Nuclear energy has been making news for a few months now. First, Iran went all out to equip itself with it and now Kuwait is ready to ink the nuke deal with a French company. The idea that oil resources will not last forever has dawned on many countries, especially in the Middle East. Might this have been one of the reasons that propelled Dubai to aggressively turn to promoting tourism?

Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity and Water Bader Al-Shuraiaan was right in affirming our interest in acquiring and harnessing alternative energy, particularly nuclear and solar power. He predicted that these forms of energy would be the future of the country in seven years.

Professor Yaqoob F Al-Obaid, in an interview with the Kuwait Times shed light on how prepared Kuwait is to utilize this new form of energy and why nuclear energy holds the key to the future.

Q: What is your take on the feasibility and sustainability of nuclear energy in the Middle East, with special reference to Kuwait?

A: The generation of electricity using nuclear energy is a viable option in commercial terms, and looks promising from an environmental perspective. This will lead to major economic contributions to be made in the Middle East, especially in Kuwait. Fuel consumption for electricity generation will be reduced. That will, in turn, help support oil export revenues.

I think that nuclear reactors have proven significant from the technical, economic, and environment point of view. Now, more than 400 nuclear reactors produce about 16 percent of the total global electricity without problems. The United States depends on nuclear energy for 20 percent of its electricity, even though 105 nuclear plants operate there.

The cost of nuclear reactors to produce electricity or energy is still relatively low. This is because the amount of atomic fuel required to generate a certain amount of electrical energy is lesser than the amount of oil needed to generate the same quantity. This encouraged many countries to conduct feasibility studies on the possibility of using nuclear reactors as a source of energy. Water desalination using nuclear energy can be regarded as one of Kuwait’s future strategies despite oil being its strong
competitor. Because of the instability of oil prices for many reasons, nuclear power wins in this market.

Q: How much would setting up a nuclear energy plant cost? Is it worth it?

A: The construction cost estimates for new nuclear power plants are very uncertain, and have increased in recent years. Companies that plan to build new nuclear units are currently indicating that the total costs (including escalation and financing costs) will fall in the range between $5,500/kW to $8,100/kW or between $6 billion and $9 billion for each 1,100 MW plant.

These new cost estimates are far higher than what the industry had predicted. For example, as recently as 2000-02, the industry and department of energy were talking about overnight costs of $1,200/kW to $1,500/kW for new nuclear units. However, the estimated costs for new nuclear power plants begin to increase significantly starting in 2006-2007.

Q: How can you differentiate between nuclear energy used for peaceful purpose as opposed to warfare?

A: We can differentiate between nuclear energy used for peaceful purpose as opposed to the one used for warfare by the percentage of enrichment of uranium, in accordance with the regulation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Twenty percent of the energy produced from the enrichment of uranium will be valid for peaceful uses.

Q: What other alternative source of energy can Kuwait harness apart from this?

A: In fact, almost all types of renewable energy (geothermal, wind, solar and bio fuels) can be utilized in the Gulf region. One of the main sources of renewable energy that the GCC countries could benefit from is solar energy. The average direct natural exposure to sunlight in the Gulf region is about 1,800 kilowatt/hours per square meter. This makes the adoption of solar energy in the region technically and economically feasible.

In the last few years, many projects to explore renewable energy sources have been undertaken in the Gulf region, such as wind at the Trade Centre Building in Bahrain and the use of sunlight to power at some reverse osmosis units in Bahrain and Oman. The latter used a photovoltaic system as well as wind energy to pump water and generate electricity. In Saudi Arabia, solar energy is harnessed to power oil field lighting systems, advertising signs and traffic signals. Progress has also been made in the field
of solar-powered cooking, solar-powered desalination, thermal and solar electricity generation and photovoltaic systems.

In the UAE, solar energy is used to power parking meters and offshore buoys as well as water heaters and air conditioners in hotels. The wind is harnessed on Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and in Fujairah. More research in the field of renewable energy will help to cut costs, which is another obstacle to the adoption of such technology.

Q: Why isn’t solar or wind energy popular here, despite it being more eco-friendly and cheaper?

A: Solar or wind energy is not popular in Kuwait, despite it being more eco-friendly and cheaper. This is because Kuwait has abundant oil resources, and generating power from petroleum is a viable option. Also, solar and wind energy are not permanent energies, as they depend on the sun and wind and may change from day-to-day, from season to another. More research needs to be carried out in this realm. In Kuwait, solar houses were built at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) that served as a l
aboratory for testing in Al-Rawadah, the Sulaibiya.

Q: Is the disposal of nuclear waste now more ‘environment-friendly’ as claimed? How do the new generation reactors process it differently?

A: The energy produced from the use of petroleum and combustion of petroleum products cause environmental pollution, as it is characterized by the exit of a huge amount of gases and carbon emissions in the air such as nitrogen oxides, carbon, and sulfur. Toxins cause pollution in the air and add to global warming and sudden changes and rising temperatures, which lead to long-term environmental disruption. But nuclear energy is clean energy.

The new generation of reactors are highly secure in terms of averting radiation. They can withstand the impact of different types of aircraft (Pyongyang, the Phantom and Mirage), and the rocket shock will not have any effect on the reactor.

The time needed to establish a new nuclear reactor of capacity of 500-100 megawatts of electricity ranges between four to five years. Uninhabited areas, situated at least 50 kilometers away from the city, are chosen as ideal locations after conducting physical, geological and technical studies.

Disposal of nuclear waste is also one of the biggest problems that the United States faces, especially in terms of allocating a site for burial. But with the new generation of reactors, these wastes are processed differently and in innovative ways to allow re-used fuel for the production of nuclear energy.

Q: Is the need to build a nuclear power plant politically motivated? Are we just trying to prove a point to Iran?

A: The need for a nuclear plant is politically motivated as they:

Achieve a kind of balance in the region, especially after the rise of Iran’s nuclear program. Kuwait drawing on nuclear energy will give her momentum and international standing, and greater regional position to enter the era of science and technology. This is especially true with the entry of the nuclear program of the United Arab Emirates.

Nuclear project will quantum leap in the efficiency of scientific and technical manpower in Kuwait. We are not just trying to prove a point to Iran. Nuclear energy is the future. Also, we have to take into consideration while setting up a nuclear plant, the importance of bilateral agreement with full transparency with our neighbors.

Q: How safe will our sea and land be in the case of a radiation leak? Are we endangering our environment?

A: As we said before, the new generation of reactors are very safe, and nuclear energy is clean. There is no fear from radiation leakage on our sea and land, and we are not endangering our environment. But we have to keep in mind that there is danger to marine life and land in case leakage spreads to the soil or the sea. However, the waste should be properly contained and buried deep beneath the sea according to international safety standards.

Q: Nuclear energy is touted to be the best alternative as oil is depleting fast. Will it prove too costly for Kuwait, considering our sensitive geographic allocation?

A: Despite its negative image, nuclear energy may be the most efficient and realistic means of meeting the rapidly-growing demand for power in the world.

If one closely monitors human progression in the spheres of energy and power, one will be overwhelmed to know that man is striding to receive alternative energy and electricity for future use. Researchers have invented different sorts of machines and tools to utilize the natural wealth and resources to make life much more soothing and attractive.

You can’t overlook that evergreen effort which our scientists are making to maximize the facility in gaining adequate energy through alternative sources. Still, they are not satisfied because if it is biodiesel or wind powered system, there are limitations to obtain energy. However, nuclear power is the most powerful weapon that has the ability to produce unlimited energy in the twinkle of an eye.

Looking back at history, it can be confirmed that the most devastating nuclear explosion in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan proved the scale of severity of the explosion. It released a huge amount of energy and heat which turned the two populated states into necropolis deserts.

Don’t misconstrue it. What I mean to say is that nuclear energy is more powerful in comparison to other sources of energy. It will prove to be a boon if our scientists are able to properly tap this fantastic and powerful hidden source.

The next point is regarding the consumption of energy. To be frank, you will get the maximum chance to consume power which you can use in future. In addition, there is the least chance of polluting the air. The destructive NOx is now a global concern and it will contaminate our environment to a great extent. This poisonous gas mixes in the air everyday due to the smoke spewing vehicles which emit huge amounts of this deadly gas into the air. This poses a real threat to people.

Q: What are the protective measures that need to be taken to check radiation hazards? What kind of training should be given to the personnel handling it?

A: Generally, one the obstacles that hinder the path to developing nuclear power generation is the non-availability of trained personnel. However, the GCC countries have extraordinary experience in making the best use of internationally available expertise, and progressively internalizing the know-how and technology without prejudging the competitiveness of operations.

The government of Kuwait is interested in starting a nuclear program for peaceful civilian purposes, with full transparency, before the Kuwaiti and international society with the cooperation with (IAEA) International Nuclear Energy Agency. The main steps to be taken in this regard are as follows:

Set up the Kuwait Foundation for the Establishment of Nuclear Energy. The body should help evaluate and develop a peaceful program of nuclear energy, of nuclear technology in economic development and environmental conservation.

Establishment of a Center for Nuclear Safety and Control: The supervisory and regulatory body should be completely independent and work toward the organization of the nuclear sector in the country for peaceful purposes, with the aim of achieving nuclear safety and nuclear security and radiation protection. It should prepare a licensing system for workers in the nuclear sector and control nuclear materials.

Establishment of Nuclear Authority to Generate Electricity: This body should develop policies and oversee the nuclear power plants that Kuwait needs to generate electricity in the short and long term.

The formation of an Advisory Board composed of those possessing specialized competencies. They should have conducted studies and research in the field of nuclear energy. This Board should work in tandem with the National Commission, which is responsible for planning matters.

Prepare the infrastructure, and rehabilitation of national manpower in this field. The body should implement mechanisms for the development of legislation, laws and systems required for the nuclear program. It should comply with international standards and environmental aspects of nuclear reactors.

Promote scientific research, technical and technological support for the use of nuclear technology, and to prepare a feasibility study and technical use of nuclear energy in electricity production and desalination of sea water.

Preparation of advertising campaigns to spread awareness on the importance of nuclear energy and its benefits, the objective of use, and to provide programs and curricula on scientific topics of nuclear energy and its uses.

Professional training sessions should be held in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) in the field of detection and investigation of radioactive materials.

Q: Are you an opponent or proponent of this nuclear proposal?

A: I am a proponent of this nuclear proposal. I see this as the best possible option from an economical, environmental and political point of view.

By Priyanka Saligram – Kuwait Times