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By Zainab Calcuttawala
Rabat – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Monday its nuclear capacity assessment report for Morocco, which is legally necessary for the development of nuclear power program.
After the country’s venture into solar power with the launch of the Noor complex in Ouarzazate, Morocco is considering beginning a nuclear power project by 2030.
In preparation for the development of a nuclear energy program, Morocco invited experts from the UN-affiliated IAEA in October to assess Morocco’s capacity to sustain such a program.
“The IAEA has carried out well-structured work that will allow us to assess our real capacity to use nuclear energy in all its aspects. The report is positive overall,” said Abdelkader Amara, the Moroccan energy minister, in the presence of experts from the IAEA.
The mission of the group of international experts, who traveled to Morocco October 25, focused on evaluating Morocco in 19 areas concerning technical and regulatory aspects of nuclear energy, as well as management of radioactive waste and human resources.
According to the director of the nuclear energy division of the IAEA, Dohee Hahn, “Morocco has the experience and skills that would enable it to launch its nuclear power program. In terms of human resources and training capacities in the nuclear field, we enjoyed seeing Morocco’s early awareness of these needs. “
The UN body has also issued several recommendations for Morocco. These are “proposed when the aspects related to the implementation of conditions for development of nuclear infrastructure is incomplete, “the report said.
The recommendations include encouraging intergovernmental communication, developing a blueprint for the advancement of a nuclear program, and strengthening Morocco’s commitment to nuclear safety by developing a well-composed strategy.
“Morocco will have its nuclear infrastructure, but it is not for tomorrow,” Amara said. “From the date the decision is made to energy production, it takes between 12 and 15 years. We will not see nuclear infrastructure before 2030.”
