PM briefed on progress of nuclear plant project

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Monday was briefed on progress in the nuclear plant project by the CEO of the Russian company ROSATOM, Sergey Kirienko, and an accompanying delegation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During the meeting, attended by Jordan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Khaled Toukan, a presentation was delivered on the progress in building the Jordanian nuclear station, focusing on location studies and agreements between the Jordanian and Russian governments. 

Ensour stressed the economic importance of the project, highlighting the government's trust in Russian expertise in the field. 

He called for continuing coordination with the Russians to conduct more studies, especially in regards to technical issues and environmental impact. 

The government will take all the completed studies and their results into consideration and then take the proper decision based on balancing between the needs and the economic factor for the project, according to the premier. 

Experts from both countries attended the meeting.

Kirienko stressed the importance of the project in saving energy costs, noting that his company will invest all its expertise to make this the first successful project of its kind in Jordan.

In remarks in March, Jordan Nuclear Power Company Director General Ahmad Hiasat said the Kingdom's first nuclear reactor is expected to start operating in 2024 or 2025.

The selected location for the project is the Qusayr Amra region near Azraq, some 60km east of Amman.

Hiasat expected the total cost of the project, consisting of two reactors, to stand at around JD7 billion, with a total capacity of 2,000 megawatt.