Energy demand in the UAE is growing at an annual rate of about 9 per cent — three times the global average — making nuclear energy a growing necessity in the country’s energy portfolio.
Dr Abdul Majid Mahjoub, director general of Arab Atomic Energy (AAE), said the time has come for Arab countries to focus on nuclear energy.
“Arab countries continue to depend on fossil fuels to meet their energy needs. There is an excellent opportunity to build infrastructure for nuclear reactors, which will have massive impact in the development of the region,” he said.
He said the contribution of nuclear energy should increase. “Nuclear energy is just 11.9 per cent of the total world energy output at the moment. It should increase. There are more than 400 nuclear reactors in 31 countries.”
He said there has been a slowdown in the nuclear energy, especially after the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters. “It is picking up again and on track.”
