Jordan Seeks Nuclear Reactor by 2015

Jordan plans to bring its first nuclear power reactor online by 2015, the nation’s energy minister said Sunday (see GSN, March 28).

Energy Minister Haled Sharida said Jordan’s plan to pursue nuclear energy for electricity and desalination was a result of “Arab trends accepted by the west,” according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Sharida’s ministry is drafting a timetable for implementation of the nuclear project, and according to a report in the Arabic newspaper al-Hayat universities in Jordan plan to begin instruction in nuclear physics to provide a base of technically trained individuals.

Later this month, Mohammed ElBaradei, head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, will visit Middle Eastern kingdom to discuss cooperation between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Jordan.

As a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Jordan is entitled to the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes but in return must make those facilities accessible to international inspectors.

Jordan’s announced pursuit of nuclear power comes as a number of other Arab countries in the region including Saudi Arabia and Egypt have also publicly stated similar desires (Yoav Stern, Haaretz, April 2)

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