Decouple The Real Stakes of a Saudi Nuclear Deal
Dec 2, 2025
Phil Chaffee, an editor at Energy Intelligence specializing in nuclear energy policy, dives into Saudi Arabia's ambitious nuclear program. He discusses the Kingdom's motivations rooted in prestige, industrial capacity, and the regional tensions with Iran. The conversation reveals the complexities surrounding U.S.-Saudi nuclear negotiations, including enrichment rights and vendor competition with countries like South Korea and Russia. They also touch on the geopolitical implications and the balance of energy strategy in the face of rapid technological shifts.
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Ambitious Goals, Little Delivery
- Saudi Arabia repeatedly set very large nuclear ambitions but mostly built optionality rather than deliverables.
- Phil Chaffee explains Riyadh talked about ~17.6 GW yet only built a single research reactor and paused large-scale buildout.
Early Saudi Partnerships And UAE Contrast
- Phil recounts Saudi ties with South Korea and China on research and fast reactors during their early program push.
- He contrasts that with the UAE's focused, top-down program which actually delivered four large reactors.
Prepare For Saudi Rapid Buildout
- Expect rapid deployment if Saudi Arabia gives a political green light; vendors prize that optionality.
- Phil Chaffee implies industry should prepare supply chains and regulators for fast mobilization.