Saturday, February 23, 2013

Iran to Build 16 New Nuclear Power Plants Over the Next 15 Years


Like I said, if anything, the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant accident HAS ENCOURAGED developing nations to embark on the construction of new nuclear power plants.

Here's Iran, wanting 16 new plants across the country.

Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility sits on an active fault. But so what, just look at Japan. The entire country is effectively one big active fault and they have 50 nuclear reactors. They used to have 54, and 4 will be decommissioned after 3 of them had core meltdowns. No big deal, isn't it?

From The Times of Israel (2/23/2013; emphasis is mine):

Iran selects 16 new sites for nuclear plants
Locations chosen in part for their resistance to military airstrikes; state TV reports new uranium reserves discovered

TEHRAN — Iran has selected 16 locations for the construction of nuclear power plants as part of a plan to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity at multiple sites over the next 15 years.

Iranian state TV said Saturday that experts at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran had finished studies to select the best locations across the country. It added that sites were chosen in part for their resistance to earthquakes and military airstrikes.

The Islamic Republic claims it needs 20 large-scale plants to meet its growing electricity needs over the next one-and-a-half decades.

State TV also said on Saturday that Iran had discovered new uranium resources in the country that will put its reserves at 4,400 tons compared to 1,527 tons three decades ago.

Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator struck a belligerent tone just three days ahead of talks with world powers in Kazakhstan, saying that the Islamic Republic had fulfilled all of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

“We will not accept anything beyond our obligations and will not accept anything less than our rights,” Saeed Jalili told nuclear industry officials in Tehran on Saturday. “Iran has fulfilled its NPT obligations as an active and committed member, therefore it should gain all of its rights,” he added in remarks quoted by the Iranian Students’ News Agency.

(Full article at the link)


Here's from Iran's Press TV (2/23/2013; emphasis is mine):

Iran designates 16 nuclear power sites: AEOI

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announces that the Islamic Republic has designated 16 nuclear power sites.

“Following months of efforts, 16 new sites for nuclear power plants have been designated in coastal areas of the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, [southwestern province of] Khuzestan and northwestern part of the country,” the AEOI said on Saturday.

It added the projects are in line with Iran’s long-term plans to develop electricity generation via nuclear power plants and in accordance with standard and international regulations.

The organization also said that Iran has discovered more uranium deposits to further improve its position among countries possessing nuclear technology.

Following the new discoveries over the past 1.5 years, the country’s mineral reserves and resources have increased 4.5 times compared to 35 years ago.

Iran says all activities by its nuclear experts are aimed at defending the Iranian nation.


The AEOI homepage says "Nuclear Energy a Symbol of Pride for Nation".

Japan was like that in 1960s, as reactors were being built in Fukushima. Good old days.

5 comments:

Apolline said...

Just a humour note about good old days :

http://www.zengardner.com/the-good-old-days/

Anonymous said...

Fukushima should have taught us all that nuclear power is a HUMAN RIGHTS issue. Nuclear power, when it fails (and it does fail) causes the extinction of the way of life in local communities affected by accidents because there is no cleaning up afterwards - the damage is too great. Accept it people, Nuclear accidents are a form of cultural and societal genocide. No person should be subjected to this genocide risk without their agreement - and that doesn't mean through the agreement of their "leaders" - elected or otherwise. To live in a world free of cesium 137 and all that other alphabet soup is a basic God-given HUMAN RIGHT. It cannot be taken away by a majority vote, by a government mandate, or even a constitutional amendment. It is an inalienable human right, and should be protected as such.

I am especially discouraged to hear that Iran, a country with such a rich heritage and history - indeed part of the cradle of world civilization - would risk destroying their heritage (and all of ours) for the sake of an energy source that is NOT cheaper than solar, wind or fossil fuel.

Where is the UN on this? Where is the world court? Where are the churches? Have you all been bought out by commercial interests also? This is clearly a human rights issue. Open your eyes. Stop nuclear power - globally.





Anonymous said...

This is a pretty ambitious program considering it took 36 years to bring Bushehr NPP online.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_facilities_in_Iran

Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant was announced in 2008 after many false starts it still languishes on the drawing boards.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkhovin_Nuclear_Power_Plant

No country has ever been able to sustain their stated nuclear ambitions the US originally planned for 1000 plants by 2000 but reality caught up with their ambitions soon after they built 100. Now the US like many nuclear superpowers is having a hard time just keeping up with the rate of decommissioning. If the NRC didn't green light a bogus re-licensing program the US would be up to its armpits with stations that need to be shutdown. Iran has the whole sanction thing that is forcing them to develop an entire domestic program with little outside help this can only extend their fantasy timline.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_the_United_States#History

Anonymous said...

Humans getting high.

Anonymous said...

They can dream, can't they?

Post a Comment