Abu Dhabi Residents Attend Emirate Nuclear Energy Corporation’s Public Forum

19.04.12

ENEC hosts public forum to increase awareness and understanding of the UAE’s nuclear energy program

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) hosted an open forum in Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi Police Officers Club this morning as part of its series of community meetings. The Abu Dhabi forum is the continuation of an ongoing comprehensive public education and outreach program, which extends across all Emirates and aims to increase the awareness and understanding about the UAE’s peaceful civil nuclear energy program.

Organised by ENEC in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Police Research and Decision-Making Support Centre, the event was attended by Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Resources and Support Services; Major General Obaid Al Hairi Salem Al Ketbi, Deputy General Commander of Abu Dhabi Police; Major General Mohammad Bin Al Awadhi Menhali, Director General of Human Resources and Director General of Police Operations; Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Police Central Operations; Major General Mattar Salim bin Mosaied Neyadi, General Director of the Electronic Services and Communications at the Ministry of Interior; Major General Mohamed Said Al Dahiri, Commander of Joint Armed Forces Logistics; Major General Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, Deputy Commander of the Air Force and Defence, and more than 550 residents who heard ENEC senior management outline the context for the UAE’s development of nuclear energy and its role in the future energy mix.

Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Al Hammadi, shared the latest developments in ENEC’s program as it prepares to build and operate the nation’s first nuclear energy plants. Highlighting the wider implications of the UAE’s nuclear energy program, Mr Al Hammadi said: “To support the UAE’s social and economic growth, we need nine per cent more electricity each year. Nuclear energy will help to meet this need with safe, clean and reliable power for our nation’s homes and businesses. This is a program for our nation and it is important that the whole nation understands it. Through these forums we are able to engage directly with residents and answer all their questions with the transparency and openness that characterise ENEC and its nuclear energy program.”

Experienced nuclear engineers also gave an overview of how nuclear energy works, providing insight and answering questions about a wide range of topics including uranium, radiation, the efficiency of nuclear energy, safety and nuclear energy’s impact on the environment. The forum stressed the wide range of career opportunities in the nuclear energy sector that are open to both science students looking forward to starting their careers and to experienced professionals.

“Nuclear energy is an emerging industry in the UAE, but one that will grow quickly as we expect to have more than 2,000 employees by 2020,” said Mr Al Hammadi. “That means that now is the time to apply for a chance to be a part of it right from the beginning.”

The UAE has been widely praised for its commitment to peaceful and transparent nuclear energy development, setting a Gold Standard for the industry. Bringing together the public with nuclear experts for open discussion and education in venues across the country is a key part of its development program.

ENEC will host its next forum in the Higher Colleges of Technology – Sharjah Men’s College, Sharjah, at 11am on 24th April. All residents are invited to attend and can register for the event by calling 050 641 8644 or email enecforum@enec.gov.ae. For more information, please visit www.enec.gov.abudhabi.