Government | Tuesday 6 November, 2018 12:45 am |

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched a project to build Saudi Arabia’s first nuclear research reactor on Monday.

The project is one of seven cutting edge ventures in the fields of renewable energy, atomic energy, water desalination, genetic medicine and aircraft design that were inaugurated by the crown prince, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The projects were announced during his visit to King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).

One of the projects is a center for the development of aircraft structures to be based at King Khalid International Airport.

Another is a genome laboratory for tackling genetic disease in the Kingdom.

During his tour of the KACST headquarters, Crown Prince Mohammed also launched two solar-powered water desalination plants. A plant in Al-Khafji will have a capacity of 60,000 cubic meters per day, while another in Yanbu will have a capacity of 5,200 cubic meters per day.

The Crown Prince also reviewed projects at the National Center for Aviation Technology. 

He was also briefed on satellite projects, including the SaudiSat 5A and SaudiSat 5B satellites.

Khalid Al-Falih, the energy minister and chairman of the KACST board, expressed his appreciation to the crown prince for his support and interest in the city.

KACST targets investment and development in research, through the coordination of national scientific, technological and innovative policies and strategies.