RIYADH, (DNA) – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday laid the foundation stone for the kingdom´s first nuclear research reactor, state media said, as the kingdom seeks to diversify its energy mix.

The reactor was among seven projects launched by the prince during a visit to Riyadh´s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

SPA offered no details on when the research or non-power reactor — typically used for research, development and education purposes — would be built and at what cost.

Saudi Arabia currently draws on oil and natural gas to meet its own fast-growing power demand and desalinate its water.

The world´s top crude exporter harbours plans to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades for $80 billion as it seeks to diversify, despite concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

Prince Mohammed said in March that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Riyadh will do so too.

In an interview, he likened regional rival Iran´s supreme leader to Hitler, saying he “wants to create his own project in the Middle East”.