H.E. Dr. Waleed Hussain Abulfaraj, Vice President of K.A.CARE and Dr. Mohammed Garwan, Director, Atomic Energy Sector of K.A.CARE also announced in the April event that Saudi Arabia targets 18 GW nuclear energy capacity by 2032, which will contribute 20% of its national energy demands.

As the forerunner in this region, UAE’s Barakah NPP progressed quite well. In May, the arrival of the reactor container of the first unit is a milestone for this project. And the developer will break ground on the third unit late this year. In October 2013, Jordan has selected AtomStroyExport (ASE) as its technology provider and Rusatom Overseas will be the strategic partner and operator. Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) said the first concrete for this plant will be done at the very beginning of 2019.

Egypt has made quite a lot of efforts to prepare for its first NPP at the El Dabaa site. An Egyptian government official said “Egypt is ready to invite bidders to submit their bids for 1st NPP project once get the approval of High Council of the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy”. AEOI agreed with Rosatom to build at least two more 1000 MWe nuclear reactors at Bushehr to meet increasing energy demands in Iran. With the help of China, Pakistan’s nuclear energy programme progressed quite well.