Jordan is forging ahead with a peaceful nuclear programme that would turn the energy-poor kingdom into an exporter of electricity, said nuclear chief Khaled Tukan.

"We are moving in great strides in the field of civilian nuclear energy in order to stop being dependent on the import of fuel," said Mr Tukan, who chairs the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission.

Jordan is the latest Sunni Arab country, among them Egypt and pro-Western Gulf states, to announce plans for nuclear power programmes in the face of Shiite Iran's controversial atomic drive.

"Our goal is transform Jordan from net energy importing to net electricity exporting country by 2030," added Mr Tukan, whose country imports 95 per cent of its energy needs.

Jordan's 2007 energy bill was €2.2 billion, the equivalent of 24 per cent of its total imports and 20 per cent of gross domestic product.

The kingdom has six power stations with a total generation capacity of 2,400 megawatts, but it has been forced to buy five percent of its electricity needs from neighbouring Arab countries in the face of growing demand.

In the country of nearly six million people, per capita electricity consumption is estimated at 2,000 kilowatts a year.

"In 2030, electricity consumption will double," added Mr Tukan, noting that "atomic energy is the most logical solution" to meet his country's growing power needs.

Jordan's 1.2 billion tonnes of phosphate reserves are estimated to contain 130,000 tonnes of uranium, whose enriched form provides fuel for nuclear plants.

But Jordan has given priority to uranium mining, which is faster and less expensive, added Mr Tukan.

"The country has reached nuclear cooperation deals with six countries, France, China, South Korea, Canada, Russia and Britain, and hopes to sign three more agreements with Romania, Spain and Argentina," he added.

In October 2008, French nuclear giant Areva started exploring for uranium resources in the central region of Jordan, which has 70,000 tons of carbonate rocks.