Saudi Arabia is in the process of developing its domestic nuclear energy capacity, and recently concluded nuclear cooperation agreements with Japan. In an e-mail interview, Giacomo Luciani, Princeton global scholar and scientific director of the international energy program at the Paris School of International Affairs, discussed Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy policy.
WPR: What is the history of Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy plans?
Giacomo Luciani: The history of Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy plans is actually very recent. Interest in adding a nuclear component to the total power-generation fleet emerged in the country only in 2007. Previously, Saudi authorities had taken the attitude that nuclear energy is dangerous and a potential threat to the value of oil.