Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation Hosts Nuclear Energy Forum for UAE Community

01.12.10

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) hosted a Nuclear Energy Forum last night to raise awareness and understanding about nuclear energy and its importance for the future of the United Arab Emirates.

During the forum, residents heard from a number of ENEC senior management about the UAE’s reasons for pursuing nuclear energy as part of its energy supply portfolio, and an overview of the ENEC program and its mission to deliver safe, clean and reliable nuclear energy to the grid by 2017. Following the presentation, residents were invited to put forward any questions or comments during an open question and answer session. The event was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and attracted approximately 400 residents, students and government representatives from across the UAE. His Excellency Mohamed Hamad Azzan Al Mazrouei, Director General of the Western Region Development Council was also in attendance and addressed the audience, welcoming ENEC as partners to the Western Region, the preferred site for the nuclear energy plants. ENEC will hold regular nuclear energy forums for the community as part of its commitment to complete operational transparency. The Abu Dhabi event follows a forum for Western Region residents in October this year. Today, 441 nuclear energy plants are operating in 29 countries around the world, generating 14% of the world’s electricity. More than 60 new plants are under construction in 15 countries, and several nations are considering building nuclear energy facilities for the first time. “The reason so many countries around the world are turning to nuclear energy to diversify their energy supply is because nuclear energy has proven to be a safe, clean, reliable and cost efficient source of electricity,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. “The ENEC program will provide the critical energy needed to power the growth of industries and business across the UAE.” The UAE’s nuclear energy industry will also provide thousands of high-value career opportunities for decades to come. Current estimates are that the program will need between 2,100 and 2,300 employees by 2020, with 60% of this number to be UAE Nationals. “The UAE’s Nuclear Energy Program is one of the largest and most exciting projects in the country and we are hoping to attract the highest calibre of professionals to join the program. And, it is important to note that just 20% of the jobs in the nuclear industry require specialist nuclear energy knowledge. We need experts from all areas of engineering, security, finance, HR and ICT to run this program,” Al Mr. Al Hammadi said. “As the program progresses, we look forward to telling the community more about our achievements and sharing our pride and excitement about this transformational and historic program,” Mr. Al Hammadi said.