Saudi Arabia's Nuclear Program Continues Over U.S. Concerns

Analysis: U.S. Firms May Miss Out As Saudi Nuke Plan Advances -- Reuters

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia expects to finalize its atomic energy plans this year but the U.S. nuclear industry may miss out on multi-billion dollar contracts to turn it into a reality unless Washington and Riyadh sign a non-proliferation deal soon.

Saudi Arabia has some of the world's largest oil and gas fields but rapidly rising power demand in the kingdom threatens to absorb much of those reserves unless it can find alternative fuels for its long-term economic growth.

Riyadh, which says electricity demand could soar from around 45 gig watts (GW) to 120 GW by 2035, commissioned the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-CARE) in 2010 to draw up a plan for reducing reliance on oil and gas.

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Previous Post: Is Saudi Arabia Starting A Nuclear Weapons Program?

My Comment: Saudi Arabia has the wealth, people, and the will to proceed with their nuclear program. Throw in their oil wealth .... hmmm .... I doubt that they will have a problem getting other countries to assist them in developing their nuclear program. As to U.S. demands that they sign a non-nuclear proliferation treaty .... that proposal is DOA.

Saudi Arabia Will Build Nuclear Weapons If Iran Does

Image: (Credit: CBS)

Riyadh Will Build Nuclear Weapons If Iran Gets Them, Saudi Prince Warns -- The Guardian

Prospect of a nuclear conflict in the Middle East is raised by senior diplomat and member of the Saudi ruling family.

A senior Saudi Arabian diplomat and member of the ruling royal family has raised the spectre of nuclear conflict in the Middle East if Iran comes close to developing a nuclear weapon.

Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to Washington, warned senior Nato military officials that the existence of such a device "would compel Saudi Arabia … to pursue policies which could lead to untold and possibly dramatic consequences"

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More News On Saudi Arabia's Intent To Develop Nuclear Weapons If Iran Does

Saudi Arabia Threatens to Build Nukes if Iran Acquires Them -- Global Security Newswire
Saudi Arabia: If Iran builds nukes, so will we -- CBS
If Iran Really Is Testing Nukes, Saudi Officials Say It "Would Be Unacceptable And We Will Have To Follow Suit" -- Business Insider
Saudi will seek nuclear arms if Iran gets them - report -- Reuters
Saudi Arabia will build nukes if Iran does -- Pan Armenian
Tehran tests Saudis' nerve on nuclear weapons -- The Australian

My Comment: The last thing that the Middle East needs right now is a nuclear arms race .... but the groundwork is now being shaped to have such a unfortunately development occur.

Saudi Arabia: The Next Middle Eastern Nuclear Power

16 Saudi Nuclear Reactors To Cost $300 Billion -- Arab News

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is planning to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next 20 years at a cost of more than $300 billion, according to a top official.

Abdul Ghani bin Melaibari, coordinator of scientific collaboration at King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, also said that arrangements were being made to offer the project for international bidding and the winning company should satisfy the Kingdom’s needs for modern technology.

He made the remarks during the Gulf Environment Forum, which concluded in Jeddah on Tuesday.

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My Comment: With huge reserves of oil and natural gas .... why go nuclear?

Saudis Set Stage For Mid-East Nuke Race

From The Australian:

THE scene has been set for a race between several Middle Eastern countries to develop a nuclear program after Saudi Arabia yesterday revealed its intention to push ahead with a nuclear industry.

Saudi Arabian Minister for Water and Electricity Abdullah al-Hosain revealed that the country was developing its first nuclear power plant.

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My Comment: Ignoring the fact that Saudi Arabia has the world's largest reserves of energy, its foray into nuclear energy is an obvious attempt (that will be successful) to have the expertise and resources available in the event that they may decide to develop nuclear weapons.

Kudos to the The Australian for breaking this story .... when I did a news search on this topic .... with the exception of the Iranian Press (who understand the consequences of such a decision) .... they were the only ones who were able to catch the Saudi Minister in making this commitment to develop Saudi Arabia's first nuclear reactor.