Iran ready to share nuclear experience

Iran is ready to share its nuclear experience with other nations in the Persian Gulf through a regional nuclear scientific contact group, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran president Ali Akbar Salehi told the World Nuclear Association's Annual Symposium today.

Iran's long-term energy plans recognise the importance of clean and affordable electricity, Salehi said. The country currently has one operating nuclear power plant, a 1000 MWe unit at Bushehr. With demand growing at 6% per year more reactors are planned, with desalination projects alongside them. Foundations were laid for two new units at Bushehr on 10 September, and the country has a long-term target of 20 GWe of nuclear capacity.

The country is also looking to utilise small modular reactors (SMRs) of up to 100 MWe for electricity production and desalination in remote areas of the country, Salehi said, citing financing considerations as well as the adaptability of SMRs to the country's industrial infrastructure. SMRs would be built close to areas of demand, saving on the costs of transmitting electricity, while their integrated design will have enhanced safety characteristics, he said.

Expanding cooperation

Since the establishment of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the peaceful use of nuclear power last year, Iran has taken major steps to expand international nuclear cooperation efforts, including with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Our long-term peaceful nuclear activity embodies further development of the entire fuel cycle, from extraction at mines, to uranium enrichment, to fuel production, safe storage of [used] fuel, radioactive waste management and construction of new nuclear power plants," Salehi said.

"We would like to reiterate our readiness to share our valuable accumulated experience in the nuclear industry with our Persian Gulf neighbours through establishing a regional nuclear scientific contact group," he said. The JCPOA could be used as a template to resolve intricate regional and global issues, he said. "It is incumbent on the international community to uphold the integrity of this important achievement," he said, calling on all the parties to deliver on their respective commitments.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News