English Abstract
Abstract:
Nuclear energy has exceptionally low carbon dioxide emissions throughout its life cycle, it can be considered a potential mitigation technique in the battle against climate change.
However, there are many constrains in building those reactors on grounds due to issues related to human health and the environment.
This study aimed at assessing the challenges and opportunities of establishing nuclear power stations in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted between 11th December 2022 to 05th February 2023. The survey was distributed online using Google Forms.
406 responses to the questionnaire were collected.
Another method used was conducting interviews for five experts in the field.
The collected data was processed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences IBM SPSS (version 21) using mainly Cronbach alpha test of reliability of the questionnaire, descriptive statistics, chi-square test of
independence and factor analysis.
The content of the questionnaire comprised participants’ profile, challenges, and opportunities of establishing nuclear power stations in the gulf cooperation council. Whereas the interview of the study explores the potential environmental impact of nuclear power plants, the benefits of joint initiatives
for the Gulf Cooperation Council, the economic impact of the cost of establishing
nuclear power stations, and the disposal of nuclear waste in the region.
It also considers the impact of new technology on performance, safety, and environmental impact.
The study found that the major challenges of the study indicates that 47.3% of the participants had agreed that the project requires sizable budget, 47.5% agreed that the existing engineers and scientists in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) requires training, and 46.3% of the respondents agreed based on public awareness that there are different categories of nuclear waste disposal. On the other hand, the major
opportunities indicated that 49.5% of the participants agreed that nuclear power stations may reduce the cost of electricity because nuclear power plants are expensive to build but inexpensive to operate since the management of waste, disposal, and decommissioning expenses are included into the electricity price. Moreover, 46.6% agreed that nuclear power stations will provide diversifications of energy supply.
Additionally, 41.1% agreed that it generates low amount of pollution, and 41.4% of the participants agreed that it is crucial in combating climate change.
In conclusion, the current study was able to give a thorough analysis of the challenges and opportunities
of establishing nuclear power station in the gulf cooperation council.
The findings imply that the experts in the gulf cooperation council member states have a reasonable
understanding of nuclear power stations challenges and opportunities and are optimistic
about joint initiatives between the gulf countries.
However, potential factors influencing the challenges such as shortage of water needed for the cooling process of the plants, the university courses on nuclear studies, qualified researchers, legal framework and
legislations, and the opportunity factors such as successful stories from the United Arab Emirates nuclear power plants establishment, the researchers that were sent to study abroad on nuclear studies from the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, economic benefits of the project to the gulf region, were not assessed in this study.
Thus, nuclear safety programs should be taken into consideration to overcome the catastrophe in accidents related to nuclear power plants and its safety, as this could affect the region, people, and the environment. The whole process should be carried out in line with customs, statues, laws, and legal framework of international atomic energy agency, as they work on collaborative scientific and technical application of nuclear technology.
