Saudi Arabia is in the preparation for building its first nuclear power plant. Suzanne Katmour, the representative of the King Abdullah Center for Atomic and Renewable Energy, declared recently that Saudi Arabia is set to decide by April next which country will be contracted to build the first nuclear power plant. Moreover, that contract will be signed by the end of 2018.
According to Mrs. Katmour, five countries – the United States, Russia, China, South Korea and France – submitted requests to participate in the construction of the nuclear power reactors in the kingdom. Construction is expected to start at the beginning of 2019, after conducting a semi-annual engineering survey to build the power plant.
Katmour also confirmed that the center has already settled on the selection of two construction sites so that a reserve option is available for the main site.
She also noted that the regulator would become an independent organization this year. “The Saudi regulatory body has already been established and is now part of the center, but this year the regulator will become an independent organization,” she said.
Rosatom’s director, Alexei Likhachev, has previously stated that Russia is negotiating with Saudi partners to build a complete line, from the possible construction of a large and powerful desalination plant with high efficiency to other potential medium- and small-scale energy projects including the floating ones. He also pointed out that the Foundation has sent proposals on building the nuclear power plant to the Saudi side.
