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Page added on June 7, 2011
Saudi plans to build 16 nuclear reactors by 2030
Saudi Arabia plans to build 16 nuclear power reactors by 2030 which could costs more than $100 billion, a Saudi-based newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing a top official.
The world’s top crude exporter, Saudi is struggling to keep up with rapidly rising power demand. It has considered boosting its domestic energy capacity using nuclear reactors.
“After 10 years we will have the first two reactors,” Abdul Ghani bin Melaibari, coordinator of scientific collaboration at King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, told Arab News.
Many have backed away from atomic plans after the accident at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant but oil-rich Gulf states are among the few countries looking to make major investments in nuclear power plants.
“After that, every year we will establish two, until we have 16 of them by 2030,” he said.
He estimated the cost of each reactor to be around $7 billion, adding that the Kingdom is in the process of planning for the nuclear project and coordination with specialized companies.
The kingdom plans to cover 20 percent of its electricity needs using nuclear energy, said Melaibari.
Power demand in the top oil exporter is estimated to grow 7-8 percent during the next 10 years.
Neighbouring United Arab Emirates in December 2009 awarded a South Korean consortium the contract to build four nuclear power plants worth $20.4 billion.
4 Comments on "Saudi plans to build 16 nuclear reactors by 2030"
Kenz300 on Wed, 8th Jun 2011 12:22 am
They live in the desert… seems like solar would be a better choice.
DC on Wed, 8th Jun 2011 1:17 am
Not a mention of solar or wind. And 7 billion a reactor? Theyll be lucky if they end up costing 10billion per, more likey more if history is any guide. Maybe SA should start practiceing demand management instead of simply catering to it with the worlds most dangerous expensive and costly way to boil water in history. And UAE 4 plats for 20.4billion!!?. Is that before or after cost overruns and delays. Anywhere else that money would get you between mmmm 1 and 2 reactors.
armageddon51 on Wed, 8th Jun 2011 5:04 am
Kenz300 is right with a few mirrors, they can melt steel with that much sun. There is more then just reason here, may be politic or favours.
Bob on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 6:10 pm
Are you people serious? Solar and wind? Get real. It would cost a hell of a lot more to build enough solar and wind generators to produce the output that one of those NP plants can. Once the power plants are made they produce very cheap electricity with no carbon! And its green and safe! Fukushima was caused by a giant tsunami knocking out the cooling systems! Do some research before going back to hugging your tree!