Saudi Arabia approves deal on nuclear cooperation with China

Deal will advance Saudi plans for its own nuclear power program.

The Saudi Arabian Cabinet approved the agreement with China that calls for cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The accord was signed in Riyadh last January 15.

The King Abdullah City for Nuclear and Renewable Energy or KA-CARE is being built in Riyadh to advance the country nuclear program agenda. KA-CARE is responsible for supervising works related to nuclear energy and radioactive waste projects.

In August 2009, Saudi Arabia said it was considering a nuclear power program on its own, and in April 2010 issued a royal decree which said that the development of atomic energy is essential to meet the Kingdom's growing requirements for energy to generate electricity, produce desalinated water and reduce reliance on depleting hydrocarbon resources.

Saudi Arabia has signed cooperation agreements with France, Russia, Japan and South Korea to develop nuclear energy facilities to meet its increasing energy requirements.