Middle East Nuclear Energy Race (Iranvnc.com)

Washington, May 21, 2008 (IranVNC)— Ongoing rise in fuel costs and dependence on foreign oil is forcing many countries to explore alternative energy sources. One such alternative has been nuclear energy. Some argue it incurs high costs and risks. Yet, the nuclear energy tide appears to be overwhelming so far, not only in the West, but also the Middle East. Iran's nuclear ambition has already propelled many Arab countries to enter the nuclear energy race.

Continuous rise in fossil fuel costs and possible disruptions to oil supply is forcing many countries to consider alternative energy sources... one such alternative has been nuclear energy. (GFX: Since the oil embargo in 1973, interest in nuclear energy has been revived.) To some, it has zero emissions and reduces dependence on foreign oil, but to others it is a different story. (GFX: In 2004, nuclear power provided 15.7% of world electricity.)

David B. Goldstein, Co-director, Natural Resources Defense Council: "Environmental organizations are very skeptical about it as an environmental solution because it is not cost effective... If nuclear had to compete in the market place which it has had until the heavy subsidies of the Energy Act f 2005, no one would be willing to invest in it, given the high risks and costs."

At the recently held Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington, David Goldstein is pushing for alternative and more efficient energy sources, such as wind and solar... But to his dismay more funds seem to find their way to nuclear... an energy that the Middle East also wants to produce. (GFX: The US produces the most nuclear energy, which provides 19% of its electricity.)

Goldstein: "By concentrating on nuclear power, which is 3-5 dollars a watt, and ignoring energy efficiency that's 30 cents a watt, these countries could be making a mistake."

One of the richest countries with oil fields and the second largest gas reserves in the world is Iran. Besides its first one-billion-dollar, Russian-built and fueled Bushehr nuclear power plant, it is planning to build 19 others. (GFX: According to the Head of Majlis Energy Commission, "every 1,000 megawatts of electricity made from nuclear energy saves [Iran] 10 million barrels of oil.")
Its Energy Minister explains why:

Parviz Fattah, Iranian Energy Minister: "Each day that we use our oil and gas, we're taking one step toward their depletion." (GFX: According to the Head of Majlis Energy Commission: oil would run out in 80 years and gas would finish in 200 years.)

The country wants to use nuclear energy to feed national demand for electricity, while it exports oil for foreign currency revenues. But its insistence to make its own nuclear fuel to feed its future nuclear reactors... a process more costly than importing it, raises suspicions about Tehran's intentions to make nuclear weapons. This could propel the Middle East into a nuclear arms race. (GFX: Almost all 40 countries that have nuclear power reactors import nuclear from about five nations that make and sell it.)

Goldstein: "That's evidence of the lack of commitment to the right solution from an environmental point of view and economically. I would love to see this administration helping Middle Eastern countries to improve efficiency... Solar energy would be very attractive in the Middle East."

And to him, that's a safer bet for a clean, cost-effective energy without the risk of a nuclear cloud.

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