Netanyahu’s government has approached the US in the aim to try to promote the construction of a nuclear power station at Shivta in the Negev as the best solution to the shortage of electricity generation. A report prepared for the Infrastructure Ministry by one of the world’s largest energy companies indicated that a nuclear plant would best address Israel’s needs at this time. Plans for building a nuclear reactor in Israel have been in place since the 1960s. The government has already reserved a plot of land for the venture in the south of the country. The government needs America’s approval so it can build an internationally monitored civilian reactor while avoiding monitoring of Israel’s other nuclear capabilities Israel’s main problem in this respect is that it will not sign the non proliferation treaty. Israel has recently sent the requirement to the U.S. government for getting its approval, but receiving no response so far, the report said. Israel is interested in adopting the Indian model, which could allow it to build an internationally monitored civilian reactor while avoiding monitoring of Israel’s other nuclear capabilities.

Israel cannot undertake to construct a nuclear power station on its own and will thus have to purchase a shelf product from one of the reliable companies such as the French Areva or the US Westinghouse.

Construction began on the Soreq NRC in 1058. The Research reactor in this center became critical in 1960. The reactor is fueled by HEU, cooled and moderated by light water. Cooling and moderation are done using purified water. The reactor’s nominal capacity is 5 MW. The reactor of the Soreq NRC is operated under IAEA safeguards. Radiation control is one of the NRC’s fields of activity. To that end, the NRC provides consulting services regarding ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Extensive research is conducted at the Soreq NRC, especially in the field of electro-optics. Additional activities are held at the Shalheveth Freier Center and at the National Data Center (NDC).