UAE to buy uranium for nuclear plants

Nuclear reactors (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/191420.html

The United Arab Emirates is advancing its plans to buy the uranium that will be needed to begin operating nuclear power plants.

The UAE's nuclear operator, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), will issue an international tender to buy nuclear fuel, the Arabic language newspaper Al-Ittihad reported on Friday.

According to the paper, ENEC was expected to complete its negotiations for fuel and sign final contracts by the first quarter of 2012, Reuters reported.

"It is expected that the contracts will meet the amount of imported fuel needed for the future operational period and for the following 15 years," the daily quoted ENEC as saying.

The UAE has said it plans to bring its first nuclear power plant on stream in 2017.

The Persian Gulf state expects nuclear energy to eventually account for 25 percent of its power requirements.

Despite being a leading oil exporter, the UAE has embarked on a nuclear program to meet its domestic demand for power.