The Jordan Atomic Energy Commission and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation have signed a key agreement which involves the creation of 4 nuclear power plants, several desalinisation plants and the revival of the Red-Dead canal project.

The first 2 nuclear plants are scheduled to be established in Aqaba by 2025, while 2 others shall be set up near Karak and on the southern shores of the Dead Sea. The 4 nuclear power plants will be supplied with desalinated water coming from the Red-Dead project. On the other hand, the nuclear plants will furnish desalinisation plants with almost 750 megawatts of electrical energy.

 'Around 40% of the desalination plants that will be established in Jordan will use their energy from the nuclear plants, which will be our main consumers… this will encourage us to carry out the first phase of the Red-Dead project faster…' Minister of Water and Irrigation declared.

The eco-friendly approach adopted by Jordan deserves to be mentioned. Indeed, the Red-Dead canal project is part of the Kingdom's efforts to generate much-needed water while saving the Dead Sea. Furthermore, the first nuclear plant to enter production by 2018 is to be located 11-12 km East Aqaba, near the naval station, with a view to protecting the local coral reefs.

Several foreign companies are already competing for the construction of the plant.

[Source: The Jordan Times]