Amman  –– The total amount spent on Jordan's nuclear program during 2008-2017 has reached around JD112 million, according to the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC).

 

It said in a statement released on Monday that JD56 million was spent on the Research and Training Reactor at the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), JD39 million on Jordanian nuclear power plant, JD4,688 million on International Center for Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) in Balqa governorate, JD8,76 million on uranium exploration and mining, JD1,223 million on Jordan's subcritical system, JD1,688 million on scholarships, and JD659 thousand on International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA). A large proportion of the amount was spent on Jordanian experts, consultants, materials and supplies available in the local market, JAEC added.

 

The Jordan Research and Training Reactor costs around JD56 million and will start operations in the second half of this year in cooperation with the Royal Medical Services to implement a marketing plan for radioactive isotopes produced in the reactor.

 

The statement pointed out that the reactor is a cornerstone of research and training in nuclear science and technology in Jordan and provides a strong platform for training and scientific research for nuclear engineering and other nuclear sciences students, engineers and technicians to operate, maintain and develop nuclear reactors.

 

It will be used to produce medical and industrial radioactive isotopes to support nuclear applications in medicine and agriculture water and industry in Jordan and the region, it added.

 

The statement said that uranium mining project cost JD8,760 million, noting that the JAEC established the Jordanian uranium mining company (JUMCO) in 2013 to manage the uranium project in Jordan, and was tasked with setting up a mining unit capable of producing approximately 400 tons of yellowcake annually.

 

The JAEC will launch a unit to produce yellowcake, in addition to detailed economic feasibility studies for the production of commercial quantities of yellowcake that can be used as fuel for nuclear power reactors.

 

Jordan's subcritical system, worth around JD1,223, was built and operated at the JUST in 2013, and now serves professors, researchers and nuclear engineering students at the University.

 

"In cooperation with developed countries in the field of nuclear energy, the JAEC is currently implementing a Master's and PhD program in nuclear science and engineering in France, Russia, South Korea, China and Japan. The number of scholarships is currently 175." The International Center for Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) in Balqa governorate, which was sponsored by UNESCO, is the first international center in the Middle East to produce synchrotron light for the use of a number of beams including x-ray, ultraviolet and infrared.

 

The statement noted the cooperation of the JAEC with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), pointing out that the IAEA has a significant role in providing assistance to Jordan during the implementation of the Jordan's nuclear program, through providing technical and expert advice, and training of personnel in the field of energy and nuclear technology, and providing laboratory equipment.

 

The relationship between the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA) and Jordan has been beneficial to the Kingdom, which had contributed JD659 thousand to the AAEA's budget over ten years.