KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor

General Information
Owner King Abdullah City for Atomic & Renewable Energy
Masterplan Project (Parent Profile)
Location Saudi Arabia
Status --
Sector Power, Generation, Nuclear Power Plant
Contract Type Design Build (DB)
Onshore/Offshore Onshore
Greenfield/Brownfield Greenfield
Progress 0
Estimated Budget Value ---
Contract Value 0
Net Value $74000m
Award Date February 2025
Completion Date December 2027
Last Updated On June 2024
ProjectId (Old, New) 12358, 202547


King Abdullah City for Atomic & Renewable Energy (KA-CARE) is planning to undertake the construction of 16 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 17 GW in Saudi Arabia. Upon completion of the project, the reactors would cover about 20 percent of the Kingdom's need for electricity.

Duwaiheen Nuclear Energy Company is an SPV formed to develop nuclear power project

The US$80,000 million project includes the following:

1. Construction of nuclear power reactors (17 GW)

2. Construction of nuclear field storage capacity

3. Installation of control rods within the reactor

4. Installation of generator

5. Installation of turbines

6. Installation of related facilities

Second Section

05 June 2024

2.8GW Package 1: The main contract bid submission has been further extended to July 1, 2024

17 January 2024

2.8GW Package 1: The main contract bid submission has been further extended to April 2024.

05 November 2023

2.8GW Package 1: The main contract bid submission has been extended to December 31, 2023. (Source: MEED)

20 October 2023

Worley has worked project management office consultant in 2018 and now three companies have submitted bids for the project management consultancy package: Worley, Assystems, and AtkinsRealis (SNC-Lavalin Pty Ltd.). The main contract bid submission is likely to be extended.

19 July 2023

The main contract bid submission has been further extended to October 31, 2023. (Source: MEED)

16 July 2023

The bids for financial, legal, and technical consultancy have been submitted. (Source: MEED)

21 June 2023

The main contract bids are expected to be submitted by the end of June 2023, however, the bid submission is likely to be further extended. The tender for financial, legal, and technical consultancy has been issued and the bid submission is unknown at this juncture. (Source: MEED)

16 May 2023

Market sources indicate that the main contract bids are yet to be submitted.

07 March 2023

The main contract bids are yet to be submitted and China National Nuclear Corporation, Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), and Russia’s Rosatom are likely to submit the bids. Work on advisory contracts is progressing on the project. (Source: MEED)

10 November 2022

Work on advisory contracts is progressing on the project. (Source: MEED)

16 June 2022

The client is in the process of appointing a partner to develop the project. Market sources indicate that Westinghouse, France’s EDF, Russia’s Rosatom, South Korea’s Kepco and China National Nuclear Corporation are likely to participate in the project however Westinghouse and EDF are no longer associated with the project. (Source: MEED)

26 May 2022

Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY) has been appointed as the transaction advisory consultant for the development of the project. (Source: MEED)

18 March 2022

KA-Care is yet to award the advisory contract for the project. (Source: MEED)

09 December 2021

Nesma & Partners and Bouygues Travaux Publics have signed a MOU to jointly bid for the project. However, the main contract tender is expected to be issued soon. (Source: MEED)

05 December 2021

Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY) is the lowest bidder and the transaction advisory contract is yet to be awarded.

11 October 2021

Client is expected to award the advisory contract soon.

18 August 2021

The bids for the transaction advisory contract are under evaluation and the following companies have submitted bids: Deloitte, Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). (Source: MEED)

26 July 2021

The client has received bids for the transaction advisory contract for the kingdom's nuclear power program. (Source: MEED)

10 May 2021

Design works are still ongoing on the package 1 and SMART reactor.

11 January 2021

Design works are still ongoing on the package 1 and SMART reactor and the tender is expected to issue in 2021.

09 November 2020

Design works are still ongoing on the package 1 and SMART reactor and the time frame for the tender issue is yet unknown.

24 September 2020

Design works are still ongoing on the package 1 and SMART reactor.

21 July 2020

It is understood that the Package 1 and SMART Reactors is still under the design stage, however, the client is likely to receive its proposal by the end of 2021.

02 June 2020

Design works are ongoing on the package 1 and SMART reactor.

22 January 2020

It is understood that the Package 1and SMART Reactors is under the design stage, however, the client is in talks with the firms for the further development of the project.

25 September 2019

*KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: SMART Reactors - MSIT and KA-CARE have signed an MoU for the redesigning of the SMART reactor in Vienna.

18 July 2019

The project is currently facing delay and there is no further update on the tender issue for package 1 and smart reactor package.

10 April 2019

King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) has recieved bids offers from five countries which is United States, Russia, France, South Korea and China to build the first two nuclear plants. Currently, the Ministry is evaluating the bids.

18 November 2018

Worley Parsons has been awarded the project management consultant (PMC) services for the project.

20 August 2018

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: Package 1 Assystem has been appointed on the project to conduct a site characterization study, environmental impact assessment (EIA) and preliminary safety analysis report (PSRA) to assist with the selection of the preferred site for the project.

18 May 2018

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: SMART Reactors- The main contract tender have not yet issued however, the time frame for the same is unknown at this juncture. KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: Package 1- It is understood that the project is in the initial study phase.

14 March 2018

It is understood that the international nuclear companies are waiting for the client to begin the tendering process. (Source: MEED)

16 February 2018

It is understood that Rosatom will compete for two nuclear power plants and the award is expected in one year.

16 January 2018

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: Package 1 Saudi Arabia has plans to pre-qualify bidding firms by April or May 2018 from two or three countries for the first nuclear reactors. Currently, the evaluation process for RFI (request for information) is being done by the client and plans to hold he discussion with suppliers by February 2018. A joint venture between the Saudi government and the winning developers would be signed in 2019 after the shortlisting by end of 2018.

15 January 2018

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: Package 1 The client has shortlisted two sites for the kingdom’s first nuclear power plant.The first is at Umm Huwayd (alternative) and the second is Khor Duweihin (preferred). Both are on the Gulf coast near the UAE and Qatari borders. An RFP tender was issued in November for site characterization, assessment and selection, EIA and PSAR (preliminary safety analysis report) contract by the client.

21 December 2017

The ministry is in talks with Westinghouse to participate in Saudi Arabia's civil nuclear energy program which is expected to be auctioned in 2018.The signing of the contracts to build two nuclear reactors is expected by end of 2018.

15 December 2017

Rosatom has signed a roadmap with Saudi Arabia for the cooperation of peaceful nuclear power usage.

05 December 2017

Toshiba-owned Westinghouse and France’s EDF are in talks with the client for the development of the project.

21 November 2017

RFI (Request For Information) document was released to all technology providers for building nuclear power plants in the kingdom. Meetings are held with all potential providers to discuss the RFI document and address any concerns on the project.

06 November 2017

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: Package 1 Rosatom has shown interest and sent its proposal to the local authority for the project. As the tender is floated they are likely to bid for this project.

26 October 2017

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: Package 1 The project is expected to be awarded and signed by end of 2018.

26 July 2017

The Saudi cabinet has approved the development of the project along with the approval of financial and administrative regulations of the client. (Source: MEED)

29 May 2017

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: SMART Reactors : The preliminary report on the project will be prepared by end of 2018. The consultant will start preparing the construction report on the project by 2019 and will submit it to the client for approval. The overall design work will complete by end 2019.

20 March 2017

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: Package 1 The client has signed an agreement with China Nuclear Energy Engineering Group for a joint study on the feasibility of constructing high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs). The agreement also includes site selection for the project, building a regulatory system, training personnel and other aspects for the project.

02 March 2017

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: Package 1 The client is awaiting the approvals from Ministry to go ahead with the project. FEED consultant is expected to be appointed once the approval is done on the project

17 January 2017

KA-CARE - Nuclear Power Reactor: SMART Reactors It is understood that KEPCO Engineering & Construction Company Inc (KEPCO E&C), a subsidiary of state-run Korea Electric Power Corp has been appointed by the client to carry the front end engineering and design (FEED) works for developing the two SMART ((System-integrated Modular Advanced Reactor) with the capacity of 100 MW. The scope of works includes a complete passive safety system, perform the general design work of the auxiliary equipment so as to reflect the optimal design of systems and structures, prepare the preliminary safety analysis report, and prepare simplified technical specifications for the major equipment. The duration of the project is 30 months and the work commenced on the project in June 2016 and will be completed by November 2018.

20 October 2016

The client is planning to announce the site for the project soon.

11 September 2016

KEPCO Engineering & Construction Company Inc (KEPCO E&C), a subsidiary of state-run Korea Electric Power Corp has been appointed by the client to carry out pre-project planning stage, running safety and economic feasibility test on the nuclear power plant. It will participate in the project as subcontractor providing a design evaluation service to ensure nuclear safety

08 June 2016

In the latest announcements of National Transformation Plan (NTP) , the client revealed to spend $80 million on studies to identify locations for nuclear power plants and prepare the sites for construction. (Source: MEED)

13 March 2016

The project is still in the initial stage.

09 December 2015

KSA signed a deal with Hungary which includes cooperation in reactor design, construction and operation, security and waste management.

09 September 2015

KA CARE signed an agreement with the Korean Nuclear Energy Research Institute (SMART) for the reactor of compact small units.

26 June 2015

An agreement has been signed between Saudi Arabia and France to study the feasibility of developing nuclear power in the country. It involves development of two European pressurized reactors and training Saudi nations on nuclear safety and treatment of nuclear waste. (Source: MEED)

21 June 2015

Saudi Arabia and Russia has signed a legal framework for cooperation for nuclear energy. The provision will also include services in nuclear fuel cycling for the reactor facilities.

09 June 2015

KA Care is in discussion with several nuclear provider countries with regards to the idea of nuclear power plant. The study is expected to take 10 years to complete.

05 March 2015

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) has signed an MOU to conduct a three year preliminary study on the feasibility of constructing SMART reactors, expected to complete in 2018. SMART is a 330 MWt pressurised water reactor with integral steam generators and advanced safety features. The unit is designed for electricity generation (up to 100 MWe) as well as thermal applications, such as seawater desalination.

22 January 2015

The target is delayed by eight years to complete the program as it needs more time to assess what technologies it will use.

22 October 2014

Rework on the master plan is still ongoing hence there is no progress currently. However, development is expected to happen in January 2015.

11 August 2014

The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese National Nuclear Energy Company (CNNC) on cooperation mechanisms for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

21 July 2014

Rework on the master plan is ongoing as there is relocation of the plant site, decision on the same is expected to materialize by the end of the year.

11 March 2014

The project is currently under planning.

19 February 2014

Exelon Nuclear Partners, a division of Exelon Generation LLC has signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) to discuss the feasibility of collaborating on future nuclear power projects of KA-CARE.

11 September 2013

A consortium of Toshiba Corporation, Westinghouse Electric Company and Exelon Nuclear Partners (ENP) have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint proposal for the construction of nuclear power plants in the Kingdom. Toshiba and Westinghouse will provide world-leading nuclear expertise related to their advanced reactors. ENP will provide operations and associated services for the project.

24 June 2013

A company active quoted that the project is at its very early stage.

25 March 2013

A company active quoted that the project is at its very early stage.

28 November 2012

National Water Company (NWC) will provide the required water supply for KA-Care nuclear and renewable energy projects for 10 years. Both sides have recently signed a formal agreement on the arrangement, as per MEED report. As per current estimations, KA-Care schemes will jointly require around 700,000 cubic metres of water per day.

12 September 2012

Scope of work of the advisers: -Establish a holding company for the ownership of the nuclear plants - KSA. -Set up a regulatory framework for nuclear sector. -Advising on possible finance options.

12 September 2012

Nuclear Power Programmed Advisers: Oliver Wyman (USA), BNP Paribas (France), Riyad Bank (KSA)

16 July 2012

As quoted in MEED article dtd July 12, 2012 KA Care is in the final stages to appointing an advisiory team to assist them in the development of its huge nuclear power programme. The advisory team is expected to work on developing a commercial framework for the plans, explore financing options and help secure private sector involvement in the programme. The value of the nuclear programme is yet unclear, however; industry sources indicate that around 16 reactors costing about $7billion each could be developed.

27 March 2012

The site of the reactor will be announced by April 2012.