Saudi Arabia has inaugurated a low-energy nuclear research reactor project amongst seven other strategic projects in the field of new and renewable energies.
The technical specifications of the research reactor were completed by the ¨“King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology” (KACST), with the participation of international expertise. That included reactor core design, Nuclear fuel, control systems, quality control and nuclear safety analysis report. The research reactor contains fuel from uranium oxide enriched by 2.1%, and a capacity of up to 100 kW.
The construction work of the KACTS project has begun, the nuclear reactor vessel and the nuclear fuel manufacturing have been completed. The project is expected to be fulfilled by the end of 2019.
Through the establishment of KACTS the first nuclear research reactor, Saudi Arabia is counting on the contribution of this multi-purpose nuclear project to the development of human resources. KACTS reactor will foster research capabilities associated with nuclear science and engineering and participate to the development of the domestic nuclear industry.
NβN Tip: The President of KACTS: Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad Al-Saud, Ph.D.
He serves as President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for Research Institutes. Dr. Al-Saud serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the National Science and Technology Plan and Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the King Abdullah Initiative for Solar Water Desalination. He is a member of the Advisory Council for the School of Engineering at Stanford University. He serves as the Chairman at Saudi Technology Development and Investment Company (TAQNIA). He received his PhD in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University, USA.
