Azerbaijan wants to build nuclear power station – TV
Zanura Talibova, Ruslan Mammadov, ANS.
Text of report by Azerbaijani TV station ANS on 12 April
[Presenter] Azerbaijan is going to build a nuclear power station.
Although it is going to take place in 20-25 years, experts already
oppose this idea. They raise ecological security issue as a problem.
The leadership of the Institute for Radiation Problems of [the National
Academy of Sciences] raised this problem. They are confident that the
government will give its consent to the construction of the nuclear
power station.
[Correspondent over video of nuclear power station in unidentified
area] A package of proposals for the construction of a nuclear power
station in Azerbaijan has already been submitted to the government. The
proposals were drawn up after Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov turned
to the Institute for Radiation Problems. The process is mainly aimed at
using nuclear energy when oil and gas reserves exhaust.
[Adil Qaribov, head of the Institute for Radiation Problems of the
National Academy of Sciences, speaking] Azerbaijan can use its current
oil and gas reserves to satisfy its major energy needs until 2020-25.
However, problems will occur later. [Oil and gas] prices will increase
and will exhaust as well. Major problems will arise mainly in energy
supply.
[Correspondent] Although the use of other alternative energy sources in
Azerbaijan and the construction of stations in the sphere are on the
agenda, Qaribov thinks this is not enough.
[Qaribov] It has been defined that hydropower stations in Azerbaijan
can satisfy our energy needs maximum 16-20 per cent. As we know, wind
and sun energy are not stable and they cannot generate much power.
[Correspondent] The specialist said that Azerbaijan had no way out of
the situation taking into consideration prospects for exchange of
energy with neighbouring states. The president of the International
Institute for Eco-Energy, Faqan Aliyev, thinks differently. He believes
that the construction of a nuclear power station can cost Azerbaijan
dear at least from material viewpoint.
[Aliyev] Azerbaijan has no uranium. If we start producing uranium, then
we need to vacate 10-15 districts. Azerbaijan needs to bury wastes from
the nuclear power station. We do not have such a place either. Then we
have to buy uranium from other countries. A large amount of funds are
needed for burying [nuclear] wastes somewhere.
[Correspondent] Faqan Aliyev did not also hide his concern about the
damage of nuclear wastes on a human body. He said that major European
countries, which have nuclear power stations, are going to refuse from
them. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has already discussed with the
International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] some details about the
construction of a nuclear power station. For instance, the IAEA has
promised to help any work concerning the peaceful use of nuclear energy
after a draft project for the station’s construction is worked out.
Naturally, to prepare professional specialists during seven to eight
years, to choose a suitable place and condition for the construction of
the station will be submit this body. Even though Azerbaijan has
necessary conditions for the station’s construction, this process can
start in the near six to seven years. The station’s construction at
least needs 20-25 years. Despite the construction of a nuclear power
station started near Navai settlement of Azerbaijan’s Haciqabul
District in 1984, the project was not implemented after the Chernobyl
nuclear disaster.
According to scientists, about 3-4bn dollars are required for the
construction of a nuclear power station. Qaribov assumes that the
government will take a decision regarding this project. After that, a
certain commission will be set up to deal with the station’s
construction.