Saudi Arabian Nuclear Energy: Energy Security for the Future

This book sets out to analyze and assess the circumstances and reasons for why Saudi Arabia requires nuclear energy. Saudi Arabia seeks nuclear energy to diversify its energy resources and help meet its growing energy demand that has been caused by many factors, which include: population growth, increased energy consumption, water desalination, and economic diversification. Thus far, the Kingdom has increased its domestic oil consumption in order to meet such energy demands, but this approach has been deemed inefficient, because not only is oil a finite resource, it is cutting into the country's export revenue. For a country of Saudi Arabia's magnitude, in terms of its political, economic, and geographical importance, to depend solely on a single product is unwise regarding the country's economic and energy security.

Additionally, with over 90% of its national revenue budget derived from oil exports, the dramatic decline of global oil prices has worsened Saudi Arabia's fiscal position. Now, more than ever, the Kingdom has realized its need to diversify its economy if it wants to compete in the international realm. However, such a transformation requires a lot of energy to fuel the industry and infrastructure projects, and power the digital economy. Nuclear energy can compliment renewable energy sources and provide the clean energy needed to propel the Kingdom into the future.