UAE may build Arab world's first nuclear reactor

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http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2008/me_gulf0275_06_25.asp

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

United Arab Emirates may build Arab world's first nuclear reactor

ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has launched an international tender for the procurement of what could be the first nuclear energy reactor in the Arab world.

The UAE Energy Ministry has released a tender for the construction of a nuclear energy reactor. The ministry has sent invitations to nine companies as part of the estimated $1.5 billion project.

Industry sources said the tender was qualifying companies before selecting those that would compete in the tender, Middle East Newsline reported. The companies have been asked to submit information on previous projects as well as capabilities.

One company that has entered the prequalification stage has been Britain's Amtec. The British engineering firm has sought to design any UAE nuclear reactor.
"We were asked to submit the initial document and we have done so," Graham Bellwood, Amec's Middle East regional director, said. "There are many more stages to go."

Bellwood told the UAE daily Emirates Business that he expects the UAE to award the nuclear reactor contracts by 2009. He did not identify the other contenders.

The UAE has signed nuclear cooperation agreements with France and the United States. In April 2008, the UAE released a plan to develop nuclear energy in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.