In an interview with Der Spiegel, reported by Petroleum World yesterday, OPEC Secretary-General Abdalla Salem el-Badri fielded questions on a wide range of energy-related issues. At one point the dialogue turned to nuclear energy and the technology needed for it:
"SPIEGEL: How do you feel about the international resurgence of nuclear energy? Does nuclear power belong in the energy mix of industrialized countries?
El-Badri : As long as safety can be guaranteed -- why not?
SPIEGEL: You're not convinced that modern nuclear power plants are safe?
El-Badri : It's an extremely dangerous technology. As we have seen in Chernobyl, even a single accident can have devastating consequences.
SPIEGEL: And yet countries rich in natural resources, like Iran and your native Libya, are investing heavily in nuclear technology. Tripoli has just placed an order with the French for a nuclear power plant.
El-Badri : Before this technology can benefit Libya, it will have to train many specialists and it will require a great deal of technology transfer".
