Saudi Arabia is the world's largest exporter of oil and it gets approximately 75% of its domestic energy from fossil fuels. But if Arabia is swimming in oil why would they be looking into a nuclear future? Possibly because they understand that oil will not be around forever. That is why Saudi Arabia is currently speaking with a country where 75% of its energy comes from nuclear power...France.
France has made a deal with the oil king that allows Saudi Arabia's "experts" to study France's nuclear power technology. As of now, Saudi Arabia has planned a budget of $400 billion to change the face of Saudi Arabian domestic energy (which includes nuclear) by 2013.
This is a very important sign that I hope the entire world is seeing. If the oil-blessed country of Saudi Arabia has come to the realization that the world cannot survive on fossil fuels forever...when will every one else realize it.
I think that is a very good point, well done. Hopefully the US decides to push forward here soon as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting. I'd be curious if there is more going on, too. I don't mean to be cynical, but I guess I wonder if there's more going on her than just electricity production. There is a pretty significant tension in the middle east right now between Iran and its nuclear capabilities and Israel's; I wonder if Saudi Arabia sees this and would like to shift the balance of power, also?
ReplyDeleteOr perhaps this is just about energy security. I don't know. But I always wonder and watch for shifts like this. Thanks for pointing our attention to it.