Need for nuclear in MENA region

Adnan Shihab-Eldin, former secretary general of OPEC, speaking at the GCC Nuclear Summit.
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Peter Wakefield, deputy director of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) reinforced this point with the idea that operational procedures are as important as good design and  right expertise.

“Plant, people and processes must all work well, and they (the processes) extend well beyond the operator’s organisation,” he said. “Poor decisions, made for short terms gains can create severe long term weaknesses, and they can be latent, not obvious. Not only do operational staff have to understand the operations of the business, but the senior financial and human resources people have to understand the risks and the needs of operational expenses.

“Good leaders know they can’t do things alone. Interface with a regulator is vital. WANO is organised to help the industry be safe. Pointing out areas of improvement is how the industry is going about trying to help itself, because the weakest plant is a threat to the entire nuclear  power industry.”

The processes have well and truly started in this region. So far things are going by the book and technology providers are jockeying for position. If nuclear power does come to the region, and the feeling is it needs to, then there will be plenty of work for everyone.

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Seven nuclear issues

Safety and reliability
Can millions of hours of clean any production be safely maintained?

Economic competitiveness
Is the capital expenditure worth it?

Public acceptance
Will the public trust it? 

Uranium resources
There’s plenty, will there be access?

Fuel and waste management
Does everyone need access to the fuel cycle?

Human and industrial resources
Are there enough?

Proliferation risk security
What’s the risk of rogue enrichment?

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