Dr Mirza calls to focus on alternative energy
Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza yesterday delivered the keynote speech at the opening of the Third Arab Forum for Nuclear Energy.
The three-day event, under the umbrella of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency, is being held under the patronage of the minister, with the support of the Supreme Council for the Environment. Among other things, it will discuss the prospects for the production of electricity using nuclear power and the desalination of water.
Dr Mirza, in his speech, said the use of alternative energy for the generation of electricity and water desalination should be encouraged on a war footing. Among these alternative energies, he said, nuclear energy has proven reliability in terms of safety and security, and does not lead to greenhouse gas emissions. It is also competitive in cost as compared with other energy sources.
The minister talked about the existence of other nuclear power plants in the Middle East and in the Arabian Gulf. He said Arab countries are developing rapidly and there is a corresponding increase in demand for electricity and water, which has increased between five and seven per cent in the last few years.
On the other hand, he said, thereisagrowingshortageand depletion of natural resources, especially oil and gas reserves. The minister said the desire to ensure energy self-sufficiency and the development of national and Arab strategies for future energy use has inspired the Gulf andotherArabcountriesexpress an interest in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, particularly for electricity generation and water production.
The minister also pointed out that most Arab countries lack the required knowledge, skills and resources, human and financial, needed to benefit from nuclear energy options for electricity generation and desalination of sea water.
The region also lacked basic requirements, legislative, financial, administrative and other obligations that should accompany a decision to embark on a nuclear power programme.
Dr Mirza explained that the forum was an opportunity to talk about the priorities and concerns relating to nuclear power programmes in Arab countries and the necessary requirements to conduct comprehensive studies on the feasibility of nuclear power.
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