Jordan will select the technology to build its first planned nuclear reactor in the middle of May 2013.

Jordan Atomic Energy Commission chairman Khaled Toukan was quoted by xinhuanet as saying that there is a "strong competition" between two offers that Jordan has preselected to provide the technology for the reactor.

Toukan said that Russia-based Atomstroyexport and a consortium of France’s Areva and Japan’s Mitsubishi have prequalified for the project.

The winning offer will be announced in mid-May, Toukan noted.

Studies will be completed by the end of March on three possible sites, and the final site to build the reactor, will be jointly decided by the cabinet, the Lower House and the local communities.

The final agreement to construct the nuclear reactor will be signed in the second half of 2013, while Jordan will select the strategic partner of the project in May.

The country, which currently imports about 96% of its energy needs each year, plans to build several nuclear reactors for power generation.