Nuclear Power Generation for Oil and Gas Producing Countries
I came across this by accident last night while noodling around the GCSP site, a link off the sidebar from the Swiss General Officers' Training page. It is a matter of political faith in the US media market that OPEC states have no power generation requirement for fissiles, which is the "economic rational" form of the standard drooling that Iran is a low-hanging fruit for pre-emptive nuclear warfare. Enjoy.
Nuclear Power Generation WorkshopThe Nuclear Power Generation for Oil and Gas Producing Countries Workshop was held by GCSP and its partner, the Gulf Research Centre (GRC), on 4-6 July in Geneva, with the participation of the IAEA.
The purpose of the Nuclear Power Generation for Gas and Oil Producing Countries programme was to instruct participants in the reality of the costs and benefits of nuclear power programs (NPP). The main focus was the suitability of NPP's for oil and gas exporting countries. Participants came from the Gulf Region, especially from countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. Representatives from different governmental bodies from the various countries were assembled. The recent desire of GCC countries to begin developing their own NPP's provided the impetus for the conference and highlighted its timeliness.
Nuclear energy is shrouded in misunderstanding. The visiting lecturers, drawn from organizations at the heart of the nuclear issue, spent three days clarifying issues and presenting nuclear energy's advantages and disadvantages. When all facets are juxtaposed in an unbiased light, the potential NPP's have in the Middle East becomes apparent - as do the associated risks of proliferation and difficult process of developing the prerequisite infrastructure.
Initial lectures focused on the evolution of nuclear technology, its potential use as a compliment to hydrocarbons, and the issues raised by the nuclear fuel cycle. Other important topics central to the issues of nuclear power's promise were the methods and difficulties of managing nuclear waste. In addition, an explanation of the role of enrichment, which lies at the heart of international concern over nuclear weapons proliferation, was provided. The security of supply of nuclear fuel and the potential future costs of uranium were also addressed by the speakers.
The conference primarily instructed participants on the infrastructural prerequisites for a country to embark on a nuclear programme. Proper legal and regulatory frameworks are critical features of a successful NPP programme. Adherence to international law is of utmost importance in the creation of NPP's and the use of nuclear technology. For the GCC to successfully incorporate nuclear power in its energy mix, it will require much investment in homegrown legal, technical, and scientific know-how.
Proliferation of nuclear weapon technology is an unavoidable part of the NPP discussion. Countries developing a NPP by importing technology must understand that they are inheriting a large responsibility. The current Nuclear Proliferation Treaty Regime grew out of the Cold War security environment. In the 21st century new methods will be required to address some of the weaknesses of the NPT, such as the threat of non-state actors and the undermining effect of countries operating outside of the treaty-mandated order. Countries asking for help with their NPP must act as trustees of this beneficial but abuseable knowledge and technology.
Faithfully pro-nuke, which is to be expected. My greatest surprise was that Senator Obama's significant other, Exelon, was not on the sales side, this was just an EDF job, with IAEA riding shotgun.
