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Abu Dhabi: The UAE should choose the French nuclear technology known for its impeccable record on safety and reliability to build the country's own nuclear reactors for electricity generation, a top-ranking expert at a Dubai-based think tank has recommended.
"France generates about 80 per cent of its electricity through nuclear power, their technology is proven and their safety record is extremely high," Mustafa Alani, Director of Security at the Gulf Research Centre, told Gulf News on Thursday.
By the end of the next decade, the UAE is poised to join the ranks of nations generating nuclear power for peaceful purposes. The UAE has already signed memorandums of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy with the US, UK and France.
US-based Thorium Power, which provides advisory services for emerging nuclear programmes, is advising the UAE on establishing an independent nuclear regulatory agency, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, which is an international requirement.
"It will take 7-10 years to build a nuclear power station in the UAE. Since an MoU with France on cooperation in nuclear technology is already in place, it will help speed up the whole process. As well, using the French nuclear technology will be politically more acceptable in the Middle East region than using the American technology," said Alani.
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