Due to Saudi’s efforts to diversify its energy mix, the country decided to sign nuclear agreements with China. Saudi is willing to use nuclear energy for water desalination and electric-power generation instead of oil. Thus, it started its national nuclear energy program.
The Chinese CNNC and the Saudi Geological Survey signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in discovering and evaluating Uranium and Thorium resources. Also, the Saudi Taqnia Company for Technical Investment and Development signed a memorandum of understanding with the CNEC to develop water desalination projects with high-temperature reactors which are cooled by gas in Saudi Arabia. In 2012, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
These memorandums will provide Saudi with opportunities regarding the use of nuclear energy for water desalination and its development.
