Egypt to go Nuclear by 2020

Cairo, Egypt | December 26, 2007 by D-8 Secretariat

At the inauguration of the North Cairo Power Station on October 29, President Hosni Mubarak announced that nuclear power will become an integrated part of the local energy production system, with multiple new nuclear plants to be built, the first potentially operational by 2020, reported the Business Today Egypt.

President Mubarak stated that energy independence was a key condition for both security and economic growth, and that as a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), Egypt would cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency, “within a framework of transparency and respect of commitments to the nuclear non-proliferation system.”

The president announced that the nuclear plants will be constructed using local expertise in cooperation with foreign partners, and that with a $1.5 billion (LE 8.2 billion) price tag per plant, foreign investment will be sought. He also stressed that legislative and structural modifications in the energy sector are forthcoming, in particular regarding the mechanisms and authorities related to nuclear energy production, supervision and supply.

The first step will be the issuance of a presidential decree, by which the Supreme Council for Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy will be given a more powerful role in setting policies and approving nuclear energy projects. As well as having enhanced oversight in the planning and approval stages, the Council will oversee the security and operational regulation of the plants.

In response to the announcement, Sean McCormack, a US State Department spokesman, said that it was “not a problem for us” when countries pursue peaceful nuclear energy programs in cooperation with the IAEA and the NPT. Almost a week later, during the ninth General Conference of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), Dr. Ali El-Saidi, head of the party’s Energy Committee, announced Egypt’s nuclear program had the full support of the United States.

Hassan Younes, minister of electricity and energy, stated at the NDP General Conference that his ministry is still in the research phase regarding the best location for the proposed nuclear power plant. When Egypt’s intention to renew its nuclear program was first announced in September 2006, Younes stated that a fully operational plant could be completed within 10 years. Younes now believes that alternative energy - including wind, solar and nuclear - will account for 20% of total energy production by 2020.

Read Also

• Bangladesh Submits Plan to IAEA to Set up Nuclear Power Plant
• Iran and Nigeria signed nuclear technology for power plant
• Egypt Intents to Develop More Renewable Energy
• Turkey injects peace hopes into Iran nuclear talks
• Egypt Plans US$6b Oil, Gas Investments
• Egypt Moves Ahead on Oil and Gas Industry by Building 2 Billions Refinery Project
• D-8 SG and Minister Petroleum and Mineral of Egypt Share Common Confidence to enhance D-8 Energy Cooperation
• Indonesia to Tout Volcano Power at Bali Geothermal Conference
• Egypt explores 14 oil exploration projects
• Bangladesh Gets Its First Biomass Plant