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Does Middle East really need nuclear power?

Although five Middle Eastern states are in the planning stages for the construction of nuclear power reactors, their economic benefit is unproven, while solar technologies are more appropriate and as competitive.
General view of the operating power plant (L) and the construction site (R) of the third-generation European Pressurised Water nuclear reactor (EPR) in Flamanville, north-western France, January 17, 2013. REUTERS/Charles Platiau   (FRANCE - Tags: ENERGY BUSINESS) - RTR3CLWW

As Iran’s nuclear program inches closer to international acceptance, a number of countries — Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Algeria and Egypt — are in various stages of planning the construction of nuclear power reactors. The most ambitious among these is Saudi Arabia, from which many in the nuclear industry are hopeful of profiting. Despite this strong push, nuclear power makes little economic sense for these countries, and they would be much better off investing in solar power, because it is rapidly become cheaper and it is especially appropriate for regional electricity demand patterns.

The stated arguments for nuclear construction are familiar. An April 2010 Saudi royal decree stated, “The development of atomic energy is essential to meet the kingdom’s growing requirements for energy to generate electricity, produce desalinated water and reduce reliance on depleting hydrocarbon resources.” Another argument that is sometimes offered is economic competitiveness with fossil fuels. A comparison of electricity generation costs from nuclear reactors, natural gas-based power plants, solar energy from photovoltaic cells and concentrated solar power stations reveals, however, that unless natural gas prices rise dramatically, gas will remain the cheapest source of energy.

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