TEHRAN: Iran is ready to share its nuclear experience with other nations in the Persian Gulf through a regional nuclear scientific contact group, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran president Ali Akbar Salehi told the World Nuclear Association’s Annual Symposium today.
Iran’s long-term energy plans recognise the importance of clean and affordable electricity, Salehi said. The country currently has one operating nuclear power plant, a 1000 MWe unit at Bushehr. With demand growing at 6% per year more reactors are planned, with desalination projects alongside them. Foundations were laid for two new units at Bushehr on 10 September, and the country has a long-term target of 20 GWe of nuclear capacity.
The country is also looking to utilise small modular reactors (SMRs) of up to 100 MWe for electricity production and desalination in remote areas of the country, Salehi said, citing financing considerations as well as the adaptability of SMRs to the country’s industrial infrastructure. SMRs would be built close to areas of demand, saving on the costs of transmitting electricity, while their integrated design will have enhanced safety characteristics, he said.
