The MoU focuses on joint efforts and best practices in nuclear energy plant development and operations
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to explore opportunities to collaborate and ensure best practices in the development, operation, and maintenance of civil nuclear energy plants. The MoU was signed by His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, and Yu Jianfeng, Chairman of CNNC, in Beijing.
The MoU provides a framework for collaboration in short and long-term fuel cycle procurement, developing best practices in operation and maintenance (O&M) of civil nuclear energy facilities, nuclear environmental protection and other areas of mutual interest – including the development of new plants, research and development and exploring future areas of cooperation for benchmarking and knowledge sharing.
Areas of collaboration in research and development include exploring the development of a nuclear technology centre, cooperating on IV generation reactors and hydrogen production technology, and using nuclear energy for desalination.
The new agreement builds on previous cooperation initiatives between ENEC and CNNC, including an MOU signed in December 2023 at COP28, which outlined collaboration between the leading nuclear energy companies on new nuclear energy plants in third countries and deploying advanced reactor technologies. Also, at COP28, ENEC and CNNC signed an MoU to explore cooperation opportunities for developing High-Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors (HTGR) to set out the pathway for HTGR technology development and the potential to deploy the technology in other countries.
ENEC has successfully developed the 5.6GW Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the Middle East’s largest single source of clean electricity. Today, the Barakah Plant generates 30TWh of electricity annually, more than 80% of Abu Dhabi Emirate’s clean electricity. A further 10TWh will be added later in 2024 when the fourth unit begins commercial operations.
The Barakah Plant is just the beginning of ENEC’s broader mission. It is widely regarded as a global benchmark for new nuclear projects and one of the most cost-effective and time-efficient in the sector’s recent history. ENEC is ahead of the curve for driving the deployment of new advanced reactor technologies and engaging internationally on joint collaboration and investment opportunities