Reuters - Saudi Arabia is in talks with General Electric (GE) to develop nuclear power plants in the kingdom, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
The talks with GE are part of a broader bid by Riyadh to reduce its reliance on oil and diversify its economy, the source said.
Saudi Arabia plans to generate 3,000 megawatts of nuclear power by 2032, and has been in talks with several international companies, including GE, Areva and Westinghouse, to develop the plants.
GE, one of the world's largest industrial conglomerates, has a significant presence in Saudi Arabia, where it has a joint venture with the kingdom's state-owned utility, Saudi Electric Co.
"We are in discussions with GE to develop nuclear power plants in Saudi Arabia," the source said, adding that the talks were still at an early stage.
GE declined to comment on the matter.
Saudi Arabia's nuclear plans are part of a broader energy strategy aimed at reducing the kingdom's reliance on oil, which currently accounts for around 90 percent of its exports and revenues.
"The nuclear power program is part of the kingdom's plan to diversify its energy mix and reduce its dependence on oil," the source said.
GE's involvement in Saudi Arabia's nuclear plans would be a major coup for the conglomerate, which has been looking to expand its presence in the Middle East.
"We are committed to developing our business in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia," a GE spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
The source said the talks with GE were still at an early stage, and it was unclear whether the company would ultimately win a contract to develop a nuclear power plant in Saudi Arabia.
"We are in discussions with several companies, including GE, and we are evaluating their proposals," the source said.
GE's involvement in Saudi Arabia's nuclear plans would be a major coup for the conglomerate, which has been looking to expand its presence in the Middle East.
"We are committed to developing our business in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia," a GE spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
"We are committed to developing our business in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia," a GE spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
"We are committed to developing our business in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia," a GE spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
"We are committed to developing our business in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia," a GE spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
"We are committed to developing our business in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia," a GE spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Saudi Arabia is in talks with General Electric (GE) to develop nuclear power plants in the kingdom, as part of a broader bid to reduce its reliance on oil and diversify its economy.