UAE, China expand nuclear energy cooperation

The UAE and China are expanding cooperation in the field of nuclear energy.

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and China's National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) have signed an MoU to explore investment opportunities for new international nuclear power plants.

The two sides will offer their expertise to countries looking to expand their existing nuclear energy fleet or entering into the sector for the first time.

They will soon form a joint working group to leverage their strengths in project management, nuclear technology development, funding, construction and operation, human resources and supply chain development.

The MoU was signed by Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, and Yu Jianfeng, Chairman of CNNC, on the sidelines of COP28 in Dubai.

1/ On the sidelines of COP28, we signed 2 MoUs with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). One with the aim to collaborate on identifying potential development and co-investment opportunities for new international nuclear energy plants. pic.twitter.com/aeb6luwXr5

— Emirates Nuclear (@ENEC_UAE) December 15, 2023

2/ And another MoU that aims to explore potential cooperation opportunities for the development and deployment of High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors (HTGR) to set out the pathway for HTGR technology deployment, and how this could be utilized in other countries.

— Emirates Nuclear (@ENEC_UAE) December 15, 2023

"Having successfully created the Barakah Plant, we are now focused on strategic investments and innovation that accelerate the global drive to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050," said Al Hammadi.

"By working with our partners in countries like China, we can bring together our skills, knowledge and technology to offer other nations looking to accelerate their own decarbonisation efforts," he added.

CNNC's Yu Jianfeng said: "The signing of the MoU will be a significant step for CNNC and ENEC in advancing global energy transition. It will set a new paradigm for global energy cooperation and contribute to building a cleaner, greener world."

ENEC has successfully built and developed the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Al Dhafra region, a flagship project that is spearheading decarbonisation in the Middle East.

Barakah is currently the largest single source of clean electricity in the UAE, generating 30TWh of electricity annually with a further 10TWh to be added in 2024 when Unit 4 comes online.