Saudi Arabia has confirmed it has received bids for a project to build the kingdom’s first nuclear power station.

The finance ministry said in its 2023 annual budget statement that “several major works” had been completed towards the project and bids had been received by the deadline of 31 December 2022.

Press reports in the country said it was the first time an official statement has been issued on the status of the project.

The budget statement gave no further details. Reports last year said bids were likely to come from South Korea, France, China and Russia.