The authorities in Jordan?are considering bids from a French-Japanese consortium and a Russian firm who are competing to build the Kingdom?s first 1,000MW nuclear power plant
Jordan, which currently generates the vast majority of its energy from fossil fuels, has limited natural resources and wants to build a nuclear power network that would be responsible for generating 30 per cent of its total energy needs by the end of 2030.
?Following a thorough examination, the offers provided by Russia?s Atomstroyexport and a consortium by France?s Areva and Japan?s Mitsubishi were the best proposals that meet Jordan?s requirements,? the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission said in a statement.
?Talks with these companies will continue to address some technical issues, including the exact location of the plant.?
According to Reuters, the country is planning to have its first nuclear power station open by 2019.
In January 2012, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission chairman Khalid Toukan said it would cost in the country in the region of US$5 billion to build its first nuclear plant.
?The third generation nuclear reactor to be built in Jordan is one of the most developed reactors and will be completely safe,? said Toukan.
?Besides, the generation of electricity by using nuclear energy will be economically feasible,? he added.
