coal fired plants are redundant...a dirt word...and with carbon taxes added in they end up to be very expensive producers of power.......
as for the comment "In regards to building any power-plant, it all takes years. Nuclear takes decades."
check your facts in future ....you are way out on the time frame....a plant can be built and operational withing a time frame of 5 years or less from the date of order one AND INSTALLATION....
..... and many have been ordered in advance are are well into construction stages already...then they will be delivered and installed...
as for the older plants many are being updated with new technology that will extend their life span.....
offical figures available show more plants are now being built and on order than ever before and when completed will far exceed the number of plants presently in existence....they are more environmentally friendly barring events like the one that happened in japan
BUT one has to also remember that when a GAS OR COAL FIRED PLANT EXPLODES......they cause devastating damage also.....one just blew up in thailand...fortunately it was quickly contained with minimal damage but there was a mass evacuation from the province...... We have seen Gas fired facilities blow up in Australia....massive damage....and a big gas supply shortage domestically........
really to maintain base load power supply a combination of different plants is required...and all the talk of being 100% SOLAR AND WIND TURBINE is a load of rubbish...they can't provide base load supply...... ---------------------------------- TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF JUST ONE CASE UAE in talks for more nuclear plants By Peter Taberner on Apr 9, 2012
The United Arab Emirates could become a large opportunity for foreign nuclear energy players and component suppliers with some already moving in fast. It is clear that the UAE’s commitment to a nuclear energy programme continues to be unwavering, commanding international support and the strong backing of its own citizens. ************************************** Four APR-1400 reactors are scheduled to be delivered by 2020, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has confirmed, with the first reactor scheduled to ARRIVE IN 2017, with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) chosen as the prime contractors to build the reactors. *****************************************
But it looks like Kore Electric Power Corp's plans in the region are even more ambitious with the recent announcement this month that it will begin talks next year with the United Arab Emirates on a new deal for four nuclear power plants, and plans to spend 800 billion won ($706.06m) this year on overseas resources development including acquisitions.
This would push the total number of plants arranged by KEPCO to eight, giving it a solid grounding in the region for future business. Huge energy demand
Back in 2008 the UAE’s government produced a study on its prospective energy demands, which found that by 2020 demand will rise by 9 per cent per year, which they believed was three times the global average.
Six principles of their nuclear programme were then decided upon, after the release of the Policy on the Evaluation and Potential Development of Peaceful Nuclear Energy. Including complete operational transparency, the highest standards of non-proliferation, safety and security, working directly with the IAEA, partnerships with responsible nations and appropriate experts and long-term sustainability.
This integral stance on nuclear power has clearly impressed the public, where 85% of respondents in a study conducted by the ENEC in 2011 were in favour of nuclear energy as a provider of electricity for the future.
Transparency and openness are values that the UAE prides itself on concerning nuclear energy, a stance that has won praise globally as ENEC’s Deputy Chief Nuclear Officer, Ahmed Al Mazrouei explains:
“Safety and openness are our top priorities, so we are drawing from rigorous international best practices for safety, transparency and regulations. We are partnering with leading universities and companies around the world, and are confident that our professional development program, designed to work in the Emirati culture, will prepare a highly technical, competent and transparent nuclear workforce.
“Foreign partnerships and agreements are key to the successful, safe and efficient delivery of the UAE’s nuclear energy program. The UAE Program is based on best practices and cumulative experience of global nuclear energy industry. The UAE’s Nuclear Energy Program is built on the most rigorous standards of safety, transparency and security, making the UAE a role model for nuclear energy development worldwide.”
ENEC Review Board The ENEC also established the Nuclear Safety Review Board that is composed of experts from overseas, and is there to provide an overview of safety, security, risks and gaps to expertise.
A further layer of safety management is the International Advisory Committee, which in US Supreme Court style has nine members, and is chaired by the former Director General of the IAEA and UN’s Iraq weapons Inspector Hans Blix.
The committee meets semi annually where they review reports on the progress of the UAE Nuclear Program, against the set targets on safety, security and non-proliferation, who will then pass on their views to the UAE government.
As well as looking to the east receiving the expertise of KEPCO, which will bring decades of experience and know how in the construction of nuclear plants, the west also has a hand in the development of UAE nuclear energy.
In 2009, a bilateral agreement was made between the UAE and the US on nuclear cooperation, named the “123 Agreement”, this followed an in-depth review by the US government of the UAE’s plans for its energy programme. A series of protocols were then established between the two countries maintaining the international flavour of the UAE’s plans.
Foreign expertise
Foreign help may be welcome, but that does not result in all obstacles being removed for the UAE to develop its nuclear energy, such as the intense heat in the gulf and potential heavy sand storms.
Mark Hibbs, an analyst and senior associate in Carnegie's Nuclear Policy Program, believes: “The UAE program will for a very long time depend heavily and in some areas exclusively on foreign expertise."
He continues: "Because of this there will be safety culture and human interface challenges which the UAE will have to solve, for example to make sure that, in the case of unexpected events, the response is appropriate, effective and timely. What happened at Fukushima should raise questions about how dependable or “loyal” foreign personnel at nuclear power plants might be in the case of a severe accident. Bottlenecks in getting appropriate foreign help could also set back the time table for reactor construction and commissioning.
"On a positive note the decision by the UAE not to enrich uranium or reprocess spent fuel adds to international confidence that the UAE nuclear program is dedicated to peaceful-use activities, in contrast to Iran.”
Recruitment drive The ENEC also believe a recruitment drive is necessary and is one of their major challenges. The range of scholarships, specialised training bachelors and masters level programmes in place at ENEC’s establishment, will be aimed at producing home grown talent.
Already there are 170 UAE nationals enrolled in study programmes many of which will aim to be part of the ENEC’s recruitment initiative to increase its staff levels to up to 2000 people by 2020, from the existing number of around 400. The target is that 60% of all employees will be Emiratis, a clear intention to wean it off the life support of foreign help.
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