Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Jordan is conducting a feasibility study to establish of two Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Jordan for the production of electricity and water desalination, Vice Chairman of Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC), Kamal Araj in revealed.

Araj's remarks came during his participation in the annual meeting of the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) held lately in the French capital Paris .

In his speech at the meeting, the JAEC commissioner said that building the SMRs comes in partnership with the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI).

This step comes as part of the JAEC plans to diversify of reactor design options which include for example, compact micro-reactors, studies on spent nuclear fuel and nuclear fuel disposal methods, Araj told Petra's reporter.

At the meeting, Araj said: "Jordan believes that strengthening global partnerships plays a pivotal role in the development of the nuclear infrastructure needed to successfully implement national nuclear energy programs, particularly with regard to the development of the legal and regulatory framework for all nuclear activities, including the export of nuclear material, equipment, and systems that are consistent with international standards." The commissioner stressed the importance of by engaging local industries by at least 20 percent in the construction of upcoming Jordan's nuclear reactor in line with competitiveness criteria in terms of price and quality .

Nuclear safety is a national responsibility, it has trans-boundary implications and hence international cooperation and coordination are crucial, he said, adding that Jordan believes that nuclear safety should be subjected to international harmonization of standards and best practices, where all member states should be encouraged to join the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS).

On the sidelines of the meeting, Araj signed a memorandum of understanding with the British "Rolls- Royce" company to conduct a joint feasibility study to build a reactor designed by a special coalition led by the company.

The IFNEC consists of 34 member state, 31 observer countries and 4 international observer organizations. It provides a forum for cooperation among participating states to explore mutually beneficial approaches to ensure the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes proceeds in a manner that is efficient and meets the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation.