Nuclear power in Saudi Arabia

Last updated

Saudi Arabia has no nuclear power plants. However, the country has plans to create a domestic nuclear industry in anticipation of high growth in domestic energy consumption. [1] The government's objective is to use nuclear plants to replace oil-fired power stations, thus freeing oil for export.

Contents

The Saudi program is reckoned to be the second most developed in the Arab world, behind their Persian Gulf neighbour United Arab Emirates. In 2010, the King Abdallah Center for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KAcare) was founded to oversee Saudi Arabia's nuclear program under its president, Hashim Abdullah Yamani (former minister of energy and of commerce). [2] KAcare will represent Saudi Arabia at the IAEA and be responsible for Saudi nuclear energy power, supervision of nuclear power production and management of nuclear waste. [3]

Agreements

Saudi Arabia has no fuel production facilities and would be reliant on nuclear fuel from the global market. In 2010, a deal was signed with Toshiba and Shaw to build reactors in Saudi Arabia, and with Exelon to manage the nuclear facilities. The group will either be using the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor or Westinghouse's AP1000. [4]

In February 2011, Saudi Arabia signed its first nuclear accord with France, a leader in nuclear technology exports. [5] It is expected that Saudi Arabia will build a number of nuclear reactors in the near future with the aid of France to expand King Abdullah's Atomic and Renewable Energy City devoted to research and the peaceful application of nuclear energy. [6] [7]

In March 2015, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Saudi Arabia and South Korea. This could lead to the construction of at least two South Korean-designed SMART reactors in Saudi Arabia. [8] SMART stands for System-integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor. [9]

In 2017, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Geological Survey, where the two countries collaborated to identify prospective uranium deposits. Concluded by the end of 2019, the work by geologists identified that were capable of producing 90,000 tonnes of uranium. In September 2020, The Guardian reported on the basis of a confidential report prepared by CNNC and the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology (BRIUG) that Saudi Arabia had enough uranium ore reserves for domestic production of nuclear fuel. Some of the deposits were identified in the country’s northwestern region, where the city of Neom was being planned to be constructed. However, concerns regarding the Kingdom’s interest in an atomic weapons programme were intensifying, citing the lack of transparency of Saudi. [10] [11]

In April 2019, the IAEA confirmed that Saudi Arabia was likely to have a functioning nuclear reactor within a year, but had not agreed to IAEA inspections. [12]

In January 2023, Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman said Saudi Arabia plans to use domestically-sourced uranium in its future nuclear power industry, including developing the full nuclear fuel cycle. He said "This would involve the entire nuclear fuel cycle which involves the production of yellowcake, low enriched uranium and the manufacturing of nuclear fuel both for our national use and, of course, for export." [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear proliferation</span> Spread of nuclear weapons

Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information to nations not recognized as "Nuclear Weapon States" by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT. Proliferation has been opposed by many nations with and without nuclear weapons, as governments fear that more countries with nuclear weapons will increase the possibility of nuclear warfare, de-stabilize international or regional relations, or infringe upon the national sovereignty of nation states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center</span> North Korean nuclear site

The Nyongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center (녕변원자력연구소) is North Korea's major nuclear facility, operating its first nuclear reactors. It is located in Nyongbyon County in North Pyongan Province, about 100 km north of Pyongyang. The center produced the fissile material for North Korea's six nuclear weapon tests from 2006 to 2017, and since 2009 is developing indigenous light water reactor nuclear power station technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosatom</span> Russian state-owned nuclear technologies company

Rosatom, also known as Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation, the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, or Rosatom State Corporation, is a Russian state corporation headquartered in Moscow that specializes in nuclear energy, nuclear non-energy goods and high-tech products. It was established in 2007 and comprises more than 350 enterprises, including scientific research organizations, a nuclear weapons complex, and the world's only nuclear icebreaker fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear energy policy</span>

Nuclear energy policy is a national and international policy concerning some or all aspects of nuclear energy and the nuclear fuel cycle, such as uranium mining, ore concentration, conversion, enrichment for nuclear fuel, generating electricity by nuclear power, storing and reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, and disposal of radioactive waste. Nuclear energy policies often include the regulation of energy use and standards relating to the nuclear fuel cycle. Other measures include efficiency standards, safety regulations, emission standards, fiscal policies, and legislation on energy trading, transport of nuclear waste and contaminated materials, and their storage. Governments might subsidize nuclear energy and arrange international treaties and trade agreements about the import and export of nuclear technology, electricity, nuclear waste, and uranium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China National Nuclear Corporation</span> Chinese nuclear energy and weapon manufacturer

The China National Nuclear Corporation is a state-owned enterprise founded in 1955 in Beijing. CNNC's president and vice-president are appointed by the Premier of the People's Republic of China. CNNC oversees all aspects of China's civilian and military nuclear programs. According to its own mission statement, it "is a main part of the national nuclear technology industry and a leading element of national strategic nuclear forces and nuclear energy development."

The Chashma Nuclear Power Plant is a large commercial nuclear power plant located at Chashma in Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan.

In Pakistan, nuclear power is provided by six commercial nuclear power plants with a net capacity of 3,262 megawatts (3.262 GW) from pressurized water reactors. In 2020, Pakistan's nuclear power plants produced a total of 133 terawatt-hours of electricity, which accounted for roughly 10% of the nation's total electric energy generation.

This is the timeline of the nuclear program of Iran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear program of Saudi Arabia</span> Overview about the nuclear program of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is not known to have a nuclear weapons program. From an official and public standpoint, Saudi Arabia has been an opponent of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, having signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and is a member of the coalition of countries demanding a Nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. Studies of nuclear proliferation have not identified Saudi Arabia as a country of concern. Nuclear technology company IP3 International was formed in June 2016 to transfer nuclear technology from the United States to Saudi Arabia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear power in China</span> Overview of nuclear power in China

China is one of the world's largest producers of nuclear power. The country ranks third in the world both in total nuclear power capacity installed and electricity generated, accounting for around one tenth of global nuclear power generated. As of February 2023, China has 55 plants with 57GW in operation, 22 under construction with 24 GW and more than 70 planned with 88GW. About 5% of electricity in the country is due to nuclear energy. These plants generated 417 TWh of electricity in 2022 This is versus the September 2022 numbers of 53 nuclear reactors, with a total capacity of 55.6 gigawatt (GW). In 2019, nuclear power had contributed 4.9% of the total Chinese electricity production, with 348.1 TWh.

Nuclear power is the fifth-largest source of electricity in India after coal, gas, hydroelectricity and wind power. As of November 2020, India has 23 nuclear reactors in operation in 8 nuclear power plants, with a total installed capacity of 7,380 MW. Nuclear power produced a total of 43 TWh in 2020–21, contributing 3.11% of total power generation in India. 10 more reactors are under construction with a combined generation capacity of 8,000 MW.

Energy in Kazakhstan describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Kazakhstan and the politics of Kazakhstan related to energy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy in Saudi Arabia</span>

EnergyinSaudi Arabia involves petroleum and natural gas production, consumption, and exports, and electricity production. Saudi Arabia is the world's leading oil producer and exporter. Saudi Arabia's economy is petroleum-based; oil accounts for 90% of the country's exports and nearly 75% of government revenue. The oil industry produces about 45% of Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product, against 40% from the private sector. Saudi Arabia has per capita GDP of $20,700. The economy is still very dependent on oil despite diversification, in particular in the petrochemical sector.

President Adly Mansour announced on 7 November 2013 that Egypt was restarting its nuclear power program in El Dabaa; a deal was reached with the residents in which it was agreed that a residential area will also be built. The Egyptian minister of electricity, Ahmed Emam, has called the project "necessary" because of a small amount of renewable energy sources and not enough fuel.

National nuclear energy policy is a national policy concerning some or all aspects of nuclear energy, such as mining for nuclear fuel, extraction and processing of nuclear fuel from the ore, generating electricity by nuclear power, enriching and storing spent nuclear fuel and nuclear fuel reprocessing. Nuclear energy policies often include the regulation of energy use and standards relating to the nuclear fuel cycle.

Energy in Libya primarily revolves around the production, consumption, import, and export of energy, with a significant focus on the petroleum industry, which serves as the backbone of the Libyan economy. As of 2021, Libya is recognized as the seventh-largest crude oil producer in OPEC and ranks third in total petroleum liquids production in Africa. The country holds 3% of the world's proven oil reserves and 39% of Africa's, marking it as a key player in the global energy sector. Despite its abundant resources, the energy industry in Libya has faced significant challenges due to political instability following the civil war that began in 2011. These challenges have led to frequent disruptions in oil production and exports, directly impacting the national economy and its contributions to the global oil market. The sector's future is closely tied to the resolution of political conflicts and the effective management of its vast hydrocarbon resources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy</span>

The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.C.A.R.E.) is a scientific research and governmental entity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is chaired by the Minister of Energy. K.A.C.A.R.E. was founded in 2010 with a mandate to develop nuclear and renewable energy in Saudi Arabia. It is headquartered in Riyadh city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saudi Arabia and weapons of mass destruction</span>

Saudi Arabia has not officially maintained and possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In 1972 Saudi Arabia signed and approved the convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of biological (bacteriological) and toxin weapons. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia has made steps towards a nuclear program and according to some observations, they can be used to develop nuclear weapons. According to some reports, Riyadh has an alleged deal with Pakistan regarding nuclear weapons projects.

The CNP Generation II nuclear reactors were a series of nuclear reactors developed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), and are predecessors of the more current Hualong One design.

The utilization of nuclear power in Kazakhstan began with Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant, the BN-350 fast-neutron reactor in Aktau, operating from 1973 to 1999, a Soviet era prototype investment preceding the BN-600 reactor. Since then, it has only operated four smaller research reactors and did not have nuclear electricity production capabilities. Kazakhstan is the number one country in the world for uranium production volumes, which is used for nuclear fuel. Current plans, reaching back to 1997, foresee the construction of two new nuclear power plants near the towns of Ulken and Kurchatov.

References

  1. Angelina Rascouet (20 October 2016). "Saudi Arabia to Select Nuclear Power-Plant Site 'Very Soon'". Bloomberg. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  2. "Saudis, Emirates push nuclear power plans". UPI.com. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  3. Saudi Gazette. "King orders to build nuke, renewable energy facility". Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  4. Dan Yurman (23 August 2011). "Saudi Arabia's Nuclear Energy Ambitions". The Energy Collective. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  5. World Nuclear Association. Nuclear Power in France Archived 2015-12-15 at the Wayback Machine (updated September 2013). Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  6. "Saudi Arabia, France sign nuclear energy cooperation deal - Energy - ArabianBusiness.com". Archived from the original on 2011-02-24.
  7. Summer Said (Feb 2013). Saudi Arabia, France Sign Nuclear-Energy Deal The Wall Street Journal Business. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  8. "Saudi Arabia teams up with Korea on SMART - World Nuclear News".
  9. http://www.kaeri.re.kr:8080/english/sub/sub05_02.jsp
  10. "Revealed: Saudi Arabia may have enough uranium ore to produce nuclear fuel". The Guardian. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  11. "Saudi Arabia's Atomic Ambition Is Being Fueled by a UN Watchdog". Bloomberg.com. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  12. Borger, Julian (2019-04-04). "Saudi Arabia's first nuclear reactor nearly finished, sparking fears over safeguards". the Guardian. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
  13. "Saudi Arabia to use domestic uranium for nuclear development". Nuclear Engineering International. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.