Civilian Nuclear Power in the Middle East

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    "James M. Acton"
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    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
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  "regions": [
    "Middle East",
    "Türkiye",
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    "Saudi Arabia"
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  "topics": [
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Other

Civilian Nuclear Power in the Middle East

As Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt embark on optimistic nuclear energy programs, these nations must also take into consideration the shortage of nuclear industry scientists and personnel as well as the necessity of solutions for the resulting waste.

By James M. Acton

Published on Dec 15, 2010

Source: Strategic Studies Institute

Interest in nuclear energy is high, particularly in the Middle East. Yet, the challenges to developing a nuclear power program are daunting. In Chapter 10 of Nuclear Power's Global Expansion, Carnegie’s James Acton and Wyn Q. Bowen of King’s College London lay out the technical and regulatory requirements facing a state seeking to develop its first power reactor and consider how far Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have come in fulfilling them.

Although all three states still have significant barriers to surmount, Egypt and Turkey are considerably further along in the process than Saudi Arabia. In particular, research reactors in Egypt and Turkey together with extensive efforts to overhaul legislation have left both states relatively well positioned to embark on a nuclear power program. Saudi Arabia, by contrast, has little relevant experience and lacks the necessary regulatory framework.

About the Author

James M. Acton

Jessica T. Mathews Chair, Co-director, Nuclear Policy Program

Acton holds the Jessica T. Mathews Chair and is co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

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Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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