Russian 3rd Generation Reactors Are Safe: Scientist

Earlier this month, an explosion took place during the test-firing of a nuclear fuel missile at a military base in the Russian city of Seferodvinsk, causing widespread anxiety and panic around the world, especially among Egyptians who are waiting for the start of Dabaa nuclear reactor, in cooperation with the Russian atomic energy agency "Rosatom”.

Some compared the accident to the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. While others were not persuaded by either the Egyptian or the Russian governments' official statements, and rumours began to spread like wildfire.

To reach the details of the truth, Amr Galal, a reporter at Sada El-Balad English website "SEE" interviewed the Egyptian iconic scientist Mohamed Al-Swan, Professor of nuclear energy at  Wisconsin university, USA and Professor at nuclear engineering department, Alexandria university.

Al Swan gained many important scientific awards including the distinguished achievement award from the American nuclear society, the outstanding contribution award from the US department of energy and the research excellence award from the Wisconsin university.

Has any nuclear fallout been detected in Europe or the Middle East as a result of the Russian military base explosion?

Basically, there is no proliferation of fallout or nuclear radiation as a result of the Russian military base explosion, as being circulated.  I think those rumours stemmed from the Chernobyl disaster and its consequences during former Soviet Union era.

Could Russia hide the serious information about the radiation level spread during the Russian military base explosion?

Russia could not hide any information about a nuclear radiation leak because simply, it will be detected immediately in Russia's neighbouring countries.

Most of world’s countries, including Egypt, have radiation detection networks that monitor and report any abnormal radiation levels through emergency rooms working around the clock to observe any radiation leakage especially on border areas.

 

Chemical explosion in Russia has raised concerns among Egyptians with regard to the nuclear power plant being implemented in Dabaa... Is this concern justified?

No worries at all, many countries in the region including: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Turkey are already seeking to enter this field and Dabaa nuclear plant is governed by international regulations under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Even the European countries bordering the Mediterranean and very close to Dabaa reactor will not allow the construction of a nuclear power reactor if they know that it could harm its security in any way.

What is your assessment of Dabaa nuclear power plant?

Dabaa electro-nuclear project will play a key role in the development of energy sources in Egypt. We have had many projects to build electro-nuclear plants since the 1960s which were planned to be built in Sidi Kerir and Borg El Arab.

Egypt now has no alternatives except obtaining nuclear energy and reducing its dependence on oil, coal or natural gas because all these fossil fuels contribute to increasing our environment pollution.

At the beginning of its construction, the high dam used to provide Egypt with half of its electricity needs, now its energy represents only 6% of the electricity volume in our country, due to the expansion of the population, construction and increasing energy consumption.

Consequently, it was necessary to depend on clean nuclear energy as a source of electricity in Egypt. I believe that we should persify our sources in obtaining clean energy and to relay on water, sun, wind and nuclear sources as an integrated basis for electricity generation.

 

Some criticize Egypt's construction of power plants as it already enjoys a good stock of natural gas.. What is your view in this regard?  

This is considered a limited vision, the Gulf States, despite being rich in oil and gas resources are seeking investment in nuclear energy to persify their energy sources and to create future cadres capable of managing such types of nuclear plants.

What is your assessment of the Russian nuclear agency Rosatom responsible for Dabaa reactor's construction?

Rosatom is one of the major global companies in the field of electro-nuclear plants’ construction in the world. It has many projects around the world.

The type of reactor agreed to be built in Egypt is considered one of the best and the latest 3rd generation reactor with a high safety rate.

In case of any problems, the design of the Russian 3rd generation reactor ensures no external human intervention for 72 hours and the reactor will automatically shut itself up. In addition to other safety properties that exceed those found in the 1st and 2nd generation reactors.

Hence, Egypt’s choice of “Rosatom” to implement the project has not come out of a vacuum, yet it based on an intensive study.

 

What do you think of the military tests conducted by Russia and US on nuclear-powered missiles?

Both countries realize the fact that those nuclear-powered missiles would not be used as it could cause a great destruction; yet such tests are just trials to show their military power.

Contributed By: Nada Mustafa