Saudis Interested in Russian Nuclear Power

Saudi Arabia will discuss a nuclear power deal with Russia, the official Saudi Press Agency said after a Cabinet meeting Monday.
The Cabinet authorized the head of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to sign a draft accord, it said. The countries plan to cooperate in the “peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” it said.
Saudi Arabia is one of several Gulf Arab countries seeking to develop nuclear energy to meet electricity demand that’s rising at about 8 percent a year. The United Arab Emirates awarded a $20 billion contract in December to a group of companies led by Korea Electric Power to build four nuclear plants, and Kuwait plans to build four reactors by 2022.
Saudi Arabia held talks with international companies to build its first nuclear and renewable energy city, said Khalid al-Sulaiman, vice president for renewable energy at the city, speaking in Jeddah on Oct. 4. The city has engaged 14 architectural and design houses.