The Nuclear Technology Development and Innovation Sector (NTDIS) at King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE) works to advance innovation in the nuclear field by developing modern technologies and promoting innovation in this field, by implementing strategic initiatives that contribute to supporting the nuclear energy infrastructure in the Kingdom, and enhancing national capabilities in research and development. The sector focuses on developing a roadmap for nuclear technologies and launching foundational research projects to achieve sustainability in the field of nuclear energy, and among the most prominent projects and initiatives of the sector are the following:
01
Studying the introduction of small modular reactor technology to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The NTDIS is working on a study on the introduction of small modular reactor (SMR) technology - which is relatively new globally - aimed at determining the optimal path for adopting this technology in the Kingdom. The roadmap includes studying the potential applications of SMRs, including electricity generation, water desalination and industrial uses, in addition to evaluating the latest technologies available globally and determining the most appropriate for the Kingdom's needs. The plan also includes developing technology selection criteria, setting the implementation timeline, and planning for experimentation and evaluation processes before actual implementation. The sector is keen to follow the technical developments in this field continuously to ensure the adoption of the latest innovations and achieve maximum benefit from these technologies.
02 Launching foundational research and development projects in nuclear energy
The sector works on launching foundational research projects in the field of nuclear research and development with the aim of supporting innovation in nuclear technologies and enhancing the Kingdom's readiness to apply the latest solutions in this field. These projects include conducting advanced studies on the efficiency and safety of nuclear reactors, analyzing the impact of modern technologies on the sustainability of nuclear energy, and developing the infrastructure necessary to support future research projects.
The sector also contributes to supporting the decision-making process regarding the adoption of small modular reactors by conducting detailed studies to assess the technical and economic feasibility of these reactors in the Kingdom. These studies include analyzing the ability of reactors to meet the growing demand for energy, evaluating operating and maintenance costs, and studying the economic feasibility of various potential applications, and aim to provide recommendations based on accurate data that support decision-makers in choosing the best technical solutions in line with the Kingdom's needs.
03 The Nuclear Technology Center Project, which includes a Multi-Purpose Reactor (NTC-MPR)
The NTC-MPR is a strategic enabler to perform K.A.CARE's tasks in the field of nuclear energy, especially with regard to achieving self-sufficiency for the Kingdom of radioisotopes, in addition to developing and localizing nuclear technologies that support the objectives of the National Atomic Energy Project. This facility is also an important tool for qualifying human cadres and capabilities and supporting the infrastructure of the nuclear sector in the Kingdom.
The role of the NTDIS in this project lies in its technical aspect, such as the initial conceptual reactor design, and the study of its various utilization aspects
