Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch a tender for two nuclear-powered plants next month, sources told Reuters.

The country is looking to build two nuclear plants with a combined capacity of 2.8 gigawatts (GW), according to Reuters’ sources. The Kingdom anticipates construction beginning next year.

The cabinet of ministers approved a proposal to develop a national nuclear program in July.

Saudi Arabia is not the only state in the region to pursue nuclear power to diversify its energy mix. The UAE is expected to bring its first nuclear plant online in 2018, Dawn reports.

Iran has actively pursued nuclear energy and Egypt is in negotiations with Russia for the construction of a nuclear plant in its El Dabaa region.