RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has announced plans to produce and enrich uranium inthe future for its nuclear power program set to enter into an operationalphase with two atomic reactors.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the kingdom’s new energy minister, said onMonday that Riyadh intends to diversify its energy mix and go ahead withthe full cycle of its nuclear program, including the production andenrichment of uranium for atomic fuel.
“We are proceeding with it cautiously… we are experimenting with twonuclear reactors,” Abdulaziz said at an energy conference in Abu Dhabi.
The Saudi official also pointed to Riyadh’s plans to issue a tender for thekingdom’s first two nuclear power reactors, saying the tender is expectedto be made next year.
Companies from the US, China, Russia, South Korea and France are speculatedto be involved in preliminary talks about the project estimated to be worthbillions of dollars.
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Saudi Arabia claims that it wants to tap nuclear technology for peacefulpurposes but enrichment of uranium is a sensitive step in the nuclear fuelcycle as it can open up the possibility of military uses of the material.
American companies could only compete for the project if Riyadh signs anagreement with Washington assuring it will use nuclear technology forpeaceful purposes, according to Reuters.
Saudi officials, however, have said they would not agree to a deal thatdenies them the possibility of enriching uranium or reprocessing spentfuel, which could lead to a nuclear bomb.
