*RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday laid thefoundation stone for the kingdom’s first nuclear research reactor, statemedia said, as the kingdom seeks to diversify its energy mix.*
The reactor was among seven projects launched by the prince during a visitto Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the officialSaudi Press Agency reported.
SPA offered no details on when the research or non-power reactor —typically used for research, development and education purposes — would bebuilt and at what cost.
Saudi Arabia currently draws on oil and natural gas to meet its ownfast-growing power demand and desalinate its water.
The world’s top crude exporter harbours plans to build 16 nuclear reactorsover the next two decades for $80 billion as it seeks to diversify, despiteconcerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
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In an interview with CBS television, Prince Mohammed likened regional rivalIran’s supreme leader to Hitler, saying he “wants to create his own projectin the Middle East”.
Riyadh held deep reservations over the 2015 accord aimed at curbingIran’s nuclear ambitions and hailed President Donald Trump’s announcementin May that the United States was withdrawing from the deal.
Monday’s announcement comes as the US vowed to be “relentless” incountering Iran as sweeping new sanctions took effect. – APP/AFP
