UAE signs nuclear energy cooperation agreements with China bodies

Korea Electric Power

07/05/2023 13:36

DUBAI, May 7 (Reuters) - Emirates Nuclear Energy
Corporation (ENEC), the body responsible for developing the
United Arab Emirates' nuclear energy sector, has signed three
agreements with Chinese nuclear energy organisations as it looks
to boost low-carbon nuclear power.
    The UAE, which is hosting the COP28 climate summit this year
and wants to get 6% of its energy needs from nuclear as part of
its 2050 net zero plan, has previously said China would be a key
partner in its energy transition plan.  
    The three Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) cover
cooperation in nuclear energy operations, in high temperature
gas-cooled reactors, and in nuclear fuel supply and investment,
ENEC said on Sunday.
    They were signed with China's Nuclear Power Operations
Research Institute, the China National Nuclear Corporation
Overseas, and the China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation. 
    The UAE is already building the Arab world's first
multi-unit operating nuclear energy plant, the Barakah plant in
Abu Dhabi, being constructed by Korea Electric Power Corp
(KEPCO) <015760.KS >.
    When completed Barakah will have four reactors with 5,600
megawatts (MW) of total capacity - equivalent to around 25% of
the UAE's peak demand.

 (Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by David Holmes)
 ((lisa.barrington@thomsonreuters.com;))