The Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Energy is going to sign an advisory contract next Thursday for the first nuclear power plant in Egypt between the Nuclear Station Authority and the Australian Parsons Company. The exact details of the contract will be announced after the signing. Dr. Hassan Younis, Minister of Electricity and Energy, said the nuclear law due to be passed by the People's Assembly during its current session aims to set a legislative framework governing nuclear activities and installations. This way, individuals and properties will be protected and Egypt will be able to live up to its obligations as contained in the international, regional and bilateral conventions it has ratified regarding the peaceful uses of atomic energy, he added. Speaking to the press yesterday, the minister explained that the law will set the legal framework ensuring that the controlling body due to be established by virtue of this law may enjoy all the necessary competencies to carry out its work. At the same time, he said the law will guarantee the authority's full independence and will ensure that all types of radioactive sources are safely handled and transported inside and outside Egypt to protect the community and the environment. He pointed out that the law will only be applied to nuclear and radioactive facilities and practices concerning the peaceful use of atomic energy. He also said that the bill included 107 articles divided into seven chapters. One of these chapters contains all the definitions in the bill and its application scope.
Meanwhile, Dr. Aktham Aboul Eila, First Undersecretary of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, said the contract will be signed next Thursday after the negotiations are over and its clauses are drawn up by and between the Australian company and the Egyptian Nuclear Station Authority. He finally pointed out that the exact details of the contract will be announced after the latter is signed.
