This Nov 14, 2007 file picture shows a view of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna. (JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

DUBAI - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Grossi was quoted on Monday as saying that Saudi Arabia was preparing to adopt nuclear energy and the agency was providing support, Saudi state TV Al-Ekhbariya reported.

“Saudi Arabia is interested in nuclear energy and we are working on providing it with the necessary support,” Al-Ekhbariya quoted Grossi as saying.

The kingdom has said it wants to tap nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and use nuclear power to diversify its energy mix.