Qatar has been examining the use of nuclear energy to augment conventional resources
Qatar has been examining the use of nuclear energy to augment conventional resources.
Officials said Qatar has contracted international experts to determine the feasibility of nuclear energy, beginning in December 2008. If the study suggests the project is feasible, we may go ahead," Qatar Petroleum manager Issa Al Ghanim said. "We are looking at this option basically to produce electricity and water."
Al Ghanim, a leading official in Qatar's energy sector, said the study would take up to eight months and identify sites for a nuclear reactor. He said the the study would also determine whether a nuclear facility could be linked to Qatar's power grid.
These are the two pre-conditions [for a nuclear reactor]," Al Ghanim said on the sidelines of the MENA Nuclear Energy Forum on Nov. 11.Officials acknowledged that Qatar was moving toward a nuclear energy program. They said Doha contains sufficient natural gas reserves for its power requirements, but seeks to reserve this for export.
"Traditionally we have not considered nuclear technology an option," Qatari Energy Minister Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah said.
Author:
Jo Amey
