Saudi Arabia ’ s Future Nuclear Program

1. Saudi Arabia’s Future Nuclear Program Logan Kerschner

2. Future Plans Nuclear Plans • Saudi Arabia plans to construct 16 nuclear power reactors over the next 20 years at a cost of more than $80 billion, with the first reactor on line in 2022. • Would potentially generate about 20% of Saudi Arabia's electricity. Part of a Larger Renewable Plan • Plans to install 24 GW of renewable capacity by 2020, and 50 GWe by 2032. • It projects 17 GW of nuclear capacity by 2032 to provide 15% of the power along with over 40 GW of solar capacity.

3. Reasons for Nuclear • Diversified Energy Sources. • Saudi Arabia is the fastest growing electricity consumer in the Middle East. • Peak loads reached nearly 24 GW in 2001—25 times their 1975 level-and are expected to approach 60 GW by 2023. • Current electricity generation capacity is 55 GW, with 65% from oil and 27% from natural gas. • With investments in solar and nuclear, Saudi Arabia has a goal of obtain all electric energy generation from renewable resources. • “Saudization” • A means to provide jobs to Saudis. • $10 billion in higher-education investment. • The kingdom's relatively small higher-education system has not been able to handle the growing demand, leaving large numbers of young people without college degrees and thus unemployable.

4. Nuclear Hedging? • Nuclear hedging in case Iran obtains nuclear weapons. • United States Pacific Realignment. • Iran/United States diplomacy. • New Israel/Saudi agreement. • Nuclear weapons from Pakistan. • Issues with dual-use technologies.

5. Questions?