In an interview given to Daniel Bardsley from The National, Dr Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy, comments on the main motives behind the decision of some Arab countries to develop civilian nuclear power. According to Dr Nakhle, the main reasons to pursue the nuclear route include: to provide additional and cleaner sources of energy supplies to meet rapidly growing domestic demand. In the case of the GCC, it will also free some of the oil currently used for power generation for the more lucrative exports.
Dr Nakhle also points out that the UAE is rather unique in terms of the speed with which the country’s first nuclear reactor was built from the initial public announcement. She further adds that not all nuclear power projects announced in the Middle East materialise, particularly in countries where funding is not readily available.
Also read: The Future of Nuclear Energy in the Middle East and North Africa
& Technology exporters are the biggest beneficiaries of nuclear power
