Ammon News - AMMAN (Petra) – Uranium is available in large reserves in central and southern Jordan enough for 150 years as the Kingdom presses ahead to build its first electric power station, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission JAEC Chairman Khaled Toukan said on Saturday.

He told a press conference that Jordan's nuclear programme is steadily progressing along three fronts: uranium exploration and mining, a nuclear research reactor and an atomic energy station.

Toukan stressed the importance of nuclear energy for electricity generation since energy had haunted the state and society costing the treasury $2 billion annually, adding that 500 tons of uranium is enough for generating that amount.

He said an economic feasibility study for the nuclear station found that one kilowatt of electricity will cost a maximum 80 fils and when costs are covered plus its use for water desalination.

Toukan said the oil-rich United Arab Emirates will by 2017 switch to nuclear-powered electricity, noting that the UAE had gone 70 percent on that path and had taken a decision to add two more atomic units.

He said studies by specialised international firms will be completed by the end of this month on a proper site for Jordan's nuclear station, adding that a report will be presented to the cabinet to choose one of three proposed sites – Aqaba, Kherbat Al Samra east of Amman and the third in the eastern Badia desert region 50 KMs south of Kherbet Al Samra.

Toukan said seismic studies and all other data on populated areas and proximity to water sources, wind and other scientific results will be under scrutiny in coordination with the Lower House and society to determine the reactor's final site.