Russia to help KSA tap nuclear energy

RIYADH: Russia is ready to help the Kingdom develop nuclear energy power plants to replace its dependence on fossil fuels.

This was stated by Sergey Kiriyenko, director of the Russian nuclear regulatory body Rosatom, when he met with Hashem Abdullah Yamani, president of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE), at its headquarters, a KACARE official said on Thursday.
“The two leaders discussed various ways and means to enhance joint cooperation in the field of atomic energy within the framework of the nuclear agreement signed between the two countries this year in June,” the official said.
Yamani and Kiriyenko had signed the document for nuclear cooperation on behalf of their governments on the sidelines of a historic meeting between Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on June 18.
The agreement creates a legal basis for cooperation in the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes including building reactors, research, handling spent fuel and radioactive waste, and the production of radioactive isotopes for industry, including medicine and agriculture.
In 2012, Saudi Arabia said it aimed to build 17 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power by 2032 as well as around 41 GW of solar capacity. The oil exporter currently has no nuclear power plants, according to reports.
Rosatom is Russia’s national nuclear corporation bringing together 400 nuclear-based companies and research and development institutions that operate in the civilian and defense sectors, with 70 years’ expertise. Its services include uranium enrichment and nuclear waste treatment.
Earlier, KACARE joined hands with the International Institute of Nuclear Energy (12EN), a prestigious French government initiative to help partners of France develop responsible nuclear energy programs.
The Kingdom is seeking to replace 50 percent of its dependence on traditional fossil fuel with atomic and renewable energy by 2032.