1st attempt by Kuwait to launch a Nuclear Power Program was in the 1970’s in coordination with and support of the IAEA and UK Atomic energy authority.
A Nuclear Energy Committee (NEC) was established by the Cabinet chaired by the Minister of Electricity & Water (MEW), Director General of KISR, Ministry Of Health (MOH), MEW Secretariat etc…
Rational – high oil prices Progress – issued an RFP and recommended preparation for 50 MWedemonstration of power/ water reactor.
Cancellation – TMI, Iran Iraq war, Collapse of the oil price etc..
•History of Kuwait’s interest in Nuclear power
High rate of electricity and water consumption (~ 6‐7% per year over past 10
yrs): from 11 GW to 28 GW by 2030.
Rapid growth of oil/gas consumption for electricity & water production (0.35
mb/d out of ~ 2.8 mb/d in 2010 or ~11‐15% out of total production) to reach
20% by 2025‐2030. Saved balance to Export
Inevitable rise of oil export prices (currently $90/bbl) Nuclear economic @ 45
$/bbl & 8 $/MBTU
Present lack of free gas to fuel power stations in Kuwait and reliance on
limited associated gas (approx. 1 BCF/day going to 2 BCF/day.)
The cap on Kuwait’s oil production which is determined by OPEC (~2.5 –
3.0 mb/d).
Lower green house gases in Kuwait (over 40 million tons CO2 in 2010 to
rise to 70 by 2030).
◦ Meeting the fuel requirements of rising demand solely through domestic crude/products
is a poor choice environmentally and will slowly reduce the volume of revenue
generating oil exports.
Expect improvement of NPP technology, safety, prices, and lifetime (from
40‐60 years).
Building indigenous industries, technical services and creation of business
opportunities.
Related Academic Programs at Kuwait University (KU) and other universities and institutions.
On‐going and planned nuclear application activities in Kuwait coordinated by KISR. Non ‐ Power Nuclear Applications.On – going activities and planned.
Existing regulatory functions related to the use of ionizing radiation and protection. Regulatory Body: MOH
‐ By Decree law 131 of 1977
KNNEC established in 2009
General Secretary
Nuclear Reactors
Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Administrative and Financial
Affairs
Nuclear Studies
Public Relations & Media Legal Consultant
Human Resources Development
International Cooperation
Technical Bureau
Implementation Committee
KNNEC was established by decree 43 of 2009 on
March 10, 2009 (headed by PM) to:
Explore & prepare for the introduction of
safe & secure peaceful Nuclear power
program
Conduct technical studies to serve the national program
Build local manpower capacity in nuclear
Develop policies for the peaceful nuclear program.
Collaborate with countries/owners of safe nuclear tech.
Cooperate with competent organizations to have access to
information, studies ..
Cooperate fully with IAEA and follow its guidelines,
Follow up latest developments and techniques in the field
of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
KNNEC has been working closely with the IAEA to benefit from the
guidance and technical expertise of the agency as well as to maintain
the transparency required for Kuwait’s potential nuclear program for
peaceful purposes.
A number of international cooperation agreements have been signed
with organizations or governments representing both nations with
established nuclear programs and countries with programs under
developments.
Kuwait’s Signed International Nuclear Agreements Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) with France (Jan 2010) Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Jordan (March 2010) Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Department of Energy, USA (June 2010)
Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Japan (September 2010) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Russia (September 2010)
International Nuclear Agreements(under discussion) Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with UAE Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) with Russia Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with Korea Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with UK
Under preparation are the following studies & activities: Long Term Energy (Power) Planning ( with IAEA) (completed)
Preliminary Economic Feasibility of Civil Nuclear Power Plants in Kuwait (IAEA & International consulting firms) (completed)
Site Identification and Selection Study (International consulting firms) (completed)
Preparation of Legal Framework and Draft of Comprehensive Nuclear Law (with IAEA/LO and local team from the Division of Legal Advisory and Legislation of Kuwait’s Council of Ministers also Known as ALFATWA and TASHREE.) (Ongoing)
Manpower Development (Currently , ~20 scholarships for Nuclear Engineering) 1st step (Ongoing)
Cont……
KNNEC’s Plan of Work Underway “Phase One”
Under preparation are the following studies & activities (cont..) :
Public Information (IAEA Public Awareness Seminar 1st step , Jan 2011
International Cooperation (Bilateral MOU and NCA with France, USA, Russia, Japan, Jordan, UAE, etc...)
Assurance of Provisions for Nuclear Fuel & Backend(Support to INFB , IFNEC (GNEP)) etc,…
Preparation of Roadmap for Kuwait’s program (2nd Phase)
Compile interest of int’l nuclear utilities for possible JV
KNNEC’s Plan of Work Underway “Phase One”
To explore the viability of including nuclearenergy within the energy mix to meet thefuture electricity and water demand: Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) Economic ValuationTo identify areas/sites that are suitable forthe construction and operation of acommercial nuclear power plant (NPP)Identified using IAEA criteria (exclusionary;avoidance; suitability) as basisStudy paves way for site ranking,characterization and eventual selection.
Site Identification
Economic Feasibility: Study of Electricity Generation & Water
Desalination
Supply of nuclear fuel.
Nuclear waste storage and management.
Decision on appropriate NPP technology.
Selection of NPP operator.
Development of national work force for NPP.
Education and training programs.
Safety and Security of nuclear installations.
PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3
MILESTONE 1Ready to make a knowledgeable
commitment to a nuclear programme
MILESTONE 2Ready to invite bids for the
first NPP
MILESTONE 3Ready to commission and
operate the first NPP
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent p
rogr
am m
e
Nuclear power option included within the
national energy strategy
Considerations before a decision to launch a nuclear power programme is taken
Preparatory work for the construction of a NPP after a policy decision has been
made
Activities to implement after first NPP
Maintenance and continuous infrastructure
improvement
Long Term Energy Planning
Assurance of Provisions for Nuclear Fuel
International Cooperation
Manpower Development
Public Information
Preparation of Legal Framework & Draft of Comprehensive Nuclear Law
Preliminary Economic Feasibility of Civil Nuclear Power Plants
1stN
PP
Proj
ect
Feasibility Study CommissioningBidding
Process
Pre-project Project decision making Construction Operation/decommissioning
Phase 2 activities are being detailed in a
RoadmapSite Identification & Selection
Study
Road Map to Phase 2 Tasks
Anticipating a likely positive Government decision to commit to the development and introduction of nuclear power :
Roadmap being prepared with assistance from Int’l Consultants to addressall major infrastructure issues is been prepared to guide phase 2 work.
The Roadmap is based on the IAEA's Milestone document, adopted toKuwait environment.
The Roadmap will spell out in sufficient details the TOR and specify theexpected outcome and required deliverables for each study/activity inphase‐ 2.
Assessment of National Nuclear Infrastructure and Addressing gaps (withinput from IAEA) throughout.
19 Issues listed in IAEA Milestone document with special emphasis on: National position/policy and international relations and communication plan
Nuclear safety and security considerations
Program and Project Management and organization
Business model
Funding and Financing
Legislative Framework and Nuclear Law
Safeguards
Spent Fuel & Waste Management strategy
Regulatory Framework (organization & Laws)
Infrastructure & Manpower development
Public Information & National consensus
Roadmap Phase 1
Develop Roadmap
Packages
Bid & Award some
Roadmap Packages
Roadmap Phase2
Implement Roadmap Packages
18
End of Phase 1 Milestone 2
Self Assessment & IAEA IR
http://www.knnec.gov.kw/
Fuel Type Barrel oil equivalent per day
Imported Gas 15,000
Crude 40,000
Local Gas 85,000
Crude Refined Products 200,000
Total 340,000
(MEW Statistical Year Book, 2009; and I‐Tese, 2010)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
Nuclear Gas no CO2
F.Oil no CO2
Gas with CO2
F.Oil with CO2
LCOE $
/MWh
0% Discount Rate
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
Nuclear Gas no CO2
F.Oil no CO2
Gas with CO2
F.Oil with CO2
5% Discount Rate
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
Nuclear Gas no CO2
F.Oil no CO2
Gas with CO2
F.Oil with CO2
10% Discount Rate
Evaluation of a wide range of scenarios
demonstrates large, positive
netback savings in most cases.
Extreme cases (several
parameters at values adverse to nuclear) are, at
worst, break‐even.
Summary of Net‐back Values under 19 Scenarios
24
Kuwait Coastline and Siting Areas
26
Planned Port City
Application of IAEA, US
NRC, and Electric Power
Research Institute(EPRI)
guidance,
Identified five Candidate
Areas.
17 potentially acceptable
sites identified.
Need 2 preferred and 3
alternates, ranked highest,
Stud
y
0
50
100
150
200
250
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%
LCOE $
/MWh
Discount rate
Fuel Oil RHSPP with CO2 tax
Fuel Oil RHSPP no CO2 tax
Gas CCGT with CO2 tax
Gas CCGT no CO2 tax
Nuclear
28
29
Limits for Nuclear Power in Kuwait
1) If Gas prices at =< 7 $ per million BTU
2) If 0il at < $46 per barrel
3) If 0vernight Cost > $8,000 per MW
4) If Electric Load remains at 12,000 MW
5) Discount rate =>12% per year