UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program highlighted as a role model for major projects
01.11.17
– UAE nuclear energy leaders showcased to global industry audience the “The UAE’s Journey Towards Peaceful Nuclear Energy” at the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century in Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program was showcased as a role model for other nations around the world considering launching major peaceful nuclear energy projects to meet their growing energy demands. The session took place at the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century, being held in Abu Dhabi this week.
Speaking at the UAE Side Event session entitled “The UAE’s Journey Towards Peaceful Nuclear Energy”, industry leaders displayed how the UAE has benefitted from the support of and collaboration with the international nuclear energy community in its efforts to develop the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program.
The three-day conference has been organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA), and hosted by the UAE Ministry of Energy.
The session included prominent UAE nuclear industry experts including, H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA and President of the Conference, Eng. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Sahoo Al Suwaidi, Acting CEO of Nawah Energy Company, Nasser Al Nasseri, Barakah One Company Chief Executive Officer and Christer Viktorsson, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) Director General.
The industry leaders gave a brief historical background on the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program since it was conceived almost 10 years ago with a vision to power the future growth and prosperity of the nation. They also looked back on the release of the UAE’s Policy on the Evaluation and Potential Development of Peaceful Nuclear Energy, which provided the foundation for the UAE’s efforts to develop the program and related infrastructure.
The session discussed the partnership with IAEA, as well the establishment national Institutions including FANR in 2009 as the independent federal regulatory body for the nuclear sector in the UAE, and ENEC later that year as the developer of the UAE first Nuclear Energy Project , supporting energy diversification in the UAE.
Speakers also highlighted cooperating with international experts and industry players as a key part of the development of the Program through the exchange of best practices and knowledge transfer. This has helped ensure sustainability of the Program in line with the highest international standards of safety, quality, security and transparency.
In addition, the UAE nuclear energy leaders touched upon the UAE’s human capacity building efforts by educating and nurturing the nation’s next generation of energy leaders through specialist training programs and scholarships. This falls in line with UAE Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial 2071, which will ensure a sustainable future by providing opportunities for talented and ambitious individuals who want to be part of developing long-term energy goals in meeting the growing demands of the nation.
The International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century has gathered global nuclear energy experts and leaders to assess the latest trends in the industry and propose new strategies to tackle energy challenges faced across the globe. The conference features nearly 700 delegates from the 68 countries .The UAE Nuclear Energy Program is progressing steadily with Unit 1 now more than 96 percent, Unit 2 is more than 87 percent, Unit 3 is more than 78 percent, and Unit 4 is now 58 percent complete. Overall, construction of the four Units is now more than 84 percent complete. All four units will deliver clean, efficient and reliable electricity from nuclear energy to the UAE grid, pending regulatory reviews and licensing. When the four reactors are completed, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will save up to 21 million tons of carbon emissions each year.