Jordan to build its first nuclear power plant in an effort to gain energy independence as it has no natural fuel resources.
The Jordan Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the construction of the 5MW reactor on Tuesday, AFP reported.
Jordan’s atomic agency chief Majad Hawwari was quoted by the news agency as saying, "The reactor will help the commission build expertise and capabilities to prepare for constructing nuclear power plants in the future."
The Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute and Daewoo Engineering and Construction will construct the reactor at the Jordan University for Sciences and Technology, which is located near the northern city of Irbid.
South Korea has loaned Jordan $70m of the total $130m cost of the project, which will be completed by 2016 if all goes according to schedule.