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Kuwait: Director of Kuwait Institute for Scientific and Research (KISR) Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi said that the continuous efforts by Kuwait to produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes at both the local and international level has materialized. He added that the national program is multi-faceted and can meet the country’s demands.

Speaking to Al Watan, Al-Mutairi said that Kuwait had signed an agreement with the International Atomic Nuclear Agency (IAEA) in Vienna to further research and work in this particular field.

“The current stage of the national program is to establish a complete and comprehensive feasibility study, and to identify the most suitable location for such an immensely vital project. Kuwait is still in the initial stage but no doubt would be of great benefit to us all as it would lead to a true qualitative leap ahead,” he said.

Al-Mutairi added that the KISR institute is keen on developing nuclear relations as it is the body that represents the country at the IAEA and therefore are keen to acquire the necessary experience, know-how, and skills to ensure complete safety from radiation.
Al-Mutairi went on to say that several Kuwaiti delegations have been formed to visit countries which have established experience in the use of nuclear energy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah, along with high-ranking delegation, visited the United States for that purpose. There will also be another visit to the Russian Federation to learn more on Russian expertise and then compare notes with its counterparts.

The National Committee for the Uses of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes (NCUNEPP) was set up as per an Amiri decree, and is presided over by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah. Members include Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah, along with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak al-Sabah, along with Minister of Interior Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Minister of Electricity and Water Dr. Bader Al-Shuraian and other experts in this field such as Dr. Adnan Shihabuddin.

An agreement had already been signed between Kuwait and the US that states that the latter will supply Kuwait with the necessary supplies to establish nuclear energy and its peaceful use within the state. The agreement also included proper planning for human resources, safety measures, environmental issues as well as the ways and means of disposing of low to medium level of radioactive waste.

The Kuwaiti delegation has also already signed an agreement with the French authorities to improve nuclear services. The French agreement came following the discussions between His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The French agreement will focus on increasing power production, sea water desalination, and scientific researches as well as providing proper staff training.

“The reason Kuwait is interested in nuclear energy is because the country seeks diversity in resources. It is now obvious for us that the country is in desperate need for extra power production to cover the increasing demand. Official statistics recently showed that the demand for electricity will reach up to 25,000 megawatt by the year 2025. The maximum capacity currently stands at 11,000 megawatt, which clearly falls short of expectations, so therefore the country is seeking alternative means,” explained Al-Mutairi.

For his part, Director of the Environment Public Authority Dr. Salah Al-Mudhi said that Kuwait’s vision of its future nuclear plant would ideally be what is considered the “fourth generation.”

“There is no doubt that Kuwait is desperate to diversify its resources. Solar and wind turbines can be used to deal with the county’s continuing and increasing demand for energy,” he said.

A committee has already been set up to assess the situation in Kuwait, allocate the budget for it, and identify the right location for such huge project.

“In the past, the old system of nuclear plants was risky, but today things have changed as the plants have now greatly and considerably improved. We are now talking about the fourth generation plants that are by far the safest of all nuclear plants in the world. Kuwait will be the second to acquire such a project after the United Arab Emirates. This means that the UAE will have its first nuclear plant by the year 2016. As for Kuwait, it will be ready by 2018.

Asked if the country is not afraid of international reaction towards a Kuwaiti nuclear plant as it is the case with Iran, Al-Mudhi said that the situation is not the same.

“We follow every step put forward by the IAEA and we would be directly under their noses. What we do is totally according to the book. In fact, it is the French team who would initially be involved in the operation of the system until the plant is staffed by local recruits. On the other hand, Iran is a totally different situation,” he explained, adding that he would certainly hope that no war against Iran would erupt and that arrangements are being made to come up with preventive plans in the event the Iranian nuclear plant is attacked.

Mervat Abdeldayem