The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed three memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Chinese nuclear energy organisations to boost co-operation. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) said the MOUs were signed with the Nuclear Power Operations Research Institute, the China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas and the China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation.

The agreement with Nuclear Power Operations Research Institute will focus on possible collaboration in nuclear energy operations and maintenance. The deal signed with the China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas will focus on co-operation in the field of high temperature gas-cooled reactors. The third agreement, with the China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation, will focus on possible collaboration in nuclear fuel supply and investment.

ENEC is responsible for the development of the NPP, the Arab World’s first operational nuclear energy plant, being built by South Korea. The NPP will generate up to 5,600 MW of baseload electricity when all four APR1400 units are completed.

China currently has the second largest number of nuclear plants globally comprising 56 reactors, with 20 units under construction, which will account for 10-15% of power production by 2035.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology and President-designate of the Cop28 summit, visited China in April. He said China provides a strong model for how a country can continue to grow while simultaneously tackling the green energy transition.

Image: ENEC has signed a series of agreements with China National Nuclear Corporation and its subsidiaries to support energy security, sustainability and innovation (courtesy of ENEC)