RIYADH: Saudi Arabia plans to build 16 nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 22 GW, which will make the country a leader in renewable energy.
At the moment Saudi Arabia has about 11GW electricity output.
Abdul Ghani bin Melaibari, coordinator of scientific collaboration, confirmed the plan and said that the ambitious project will cost the country more than $100 billion. The first two reactors may be ready in within 10 years.
Melaibari, however, pointed out the cost building nuclear reactors in the Kingdom would be comparatively higher because of its extreme hot climate.
“After 10 years we will have the first two reactors,” Melaibari told Arab News. “After that, every year we will establish two, until we have 16 by 2030. We would like to cover 20 percent of electricity needs using nuclear energy.”
Melaibari estimated the cost of each reactor to be around $7 billion, adding that the Kingdom is in the process of concluding deals with specialized companies to implement the project.
