Egypt going nuclear with U.S. support

In September 2006, Egypt announced their plans to build three nuclear power plants by 2020, the first to be operational within 10 years. As I stated here, 'According to contested reports, Egypt has been in negotiations with Russia since April 2005 over a contract to build the El-Dabaa plant.' In 2006 we were not sure what Washington's view of this development would be. Today "The United States said it would offer its co-operation in the project."

Egypt unveils nuclear plants plan President Hosni Mubarak has said Egypt is to build a number of nuclear power stations to generate electricity.

Mr Mubarak said he had decided to go ahead with the programme because energy security was such an important factor in Egypt's development.

Egyptian officials announced plans last year to revive civilian nuclear activities but at the time they spoke of building a single power station.

The United States said it would offer its co-operation in the project.

US officials insisted there were no comparison between peaceful use of nuclear technology by Egypt and Iran's controversial nuclear programme.

US officials insisted there were no comparison between peaceful use of nuclear technology by Egypt and Iran's controversial nuclear programme. (BBC)

According to the IAEA, "Half of the 30 nuclear reactors being built are in developing countries."

IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei said there are currently 439 nuclear power reactors in 30 countries, which supply 15 per cent of the world's electricity. He said there has been a "sharp rise" of demand for civilian nuclear power energy by developing countries, ending the monopoly by industrialised countries over nuclear energy. [snip]

The IAEA is studying requests by 77 countries which are exploring nuclear energy as a potential option, he said. They include Algeria, Belarus, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam and Yemen.

Countries that already have nuclear reactors want to add new ones, including Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Finland, France, India, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, South Africa, Russia, the United States. (Bangkok Post)

That's a lot of nuclear activity.

Comments

[Francis W. Porretto]

Frightening. Meanwhile, power generation in America is frozen in place, completely at the mercy of anti-nuclearites who practically wet their pants whenever anyone mentions that the safest and most emissions-free generation method known to Man is nuclear fission.

Are we the future...or the past?