RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Tuesday approved the national policy ofits atomic energy programme, state media said, as the kingdom prepares toaward contracts for its first nuclear power plants.
The policy insists on limiting nuclear activities to peaceful purposes andcalls for enhanced safety measures as well as the use of best practises forradioactive waste management, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, is seeking nuclear power todiversify its energy supply mix in order to free up oil to boost exports.
The policy announcement comes ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’svisit to the United States on March 19-22, which is likely to see effortsto reach a civilian nuclear cooperation accord with Washington.
The kingdom has accelerated plans to build 16 nuclear reactors over thenext two decades, officials and analysts say, at a cost of some $80 billion.
Negotiations are underway with the United States for its agreement toexport technology needed for their construction. – APP/AFP