18 Apr (NucNet): Areva of France has signed a contract with a consortium comprising of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and Daewoo to supply fuel elements for the Jordan Research and Training Reactor (JRTR), which is being built at the Jordan University for Science and Technology.
The agreement is for the supply of nuclear fuel for the first reactor core and for a reload batch. Delivery of the fuel elements is scheduled for the beginning of 2015.
Construction of the JRTR by the South Korean KAERI/Daewoo consortium is “an essential step” for Jordan in acquiring the capabilities required for nuclear R&D and producing nuclear power, Areva said.
Areva said it “stands ready” to offer its experience regarding construction of a power reactor in Jordan, for which the selection of a supplier is in progress.
In 2011, Areva signed contracts for supplying Daewoo with low-enriched uranium and for delivering prototype fuels to the KAERI/Daewoo consortium.
The thermal power of the JRTR will be five megawatts, which can be increased to 10 MW. The reactor will be used for neutron beam research, neutron irradiation services such as medical radioisotope production, and the training of Jordanian engineers and scientists.
According to Jordan’s Economic and Commerce Bureau, construction of the country’s first commercial nuclear plant is expected to start in 2015 with operation by 2020.
In May 2012, Jordan completed its evaluation of possible technology options for its first commercial nuclear reactor unit and said it planned to “continue discussions” with Atomstroyexport of Russia and Atmea, an Areva-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries joint venture.
The JAEC said the two best-qualified reactor types are Atomstroyexport’s AES-92 VVER-1000 and the 1,100 megawatt Atmea-1.
Follow NucNet on Twitter @nucnetupdates
