Abu Dhabi: Nuclear energy will constitute 25 per cent of the overall energy production in the UAE by 2020 as the country continues to diversify and move away from depending on hydrocarbons for energy needs.
Mohammad Al Hammadi, chief executive officer of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation said the country is building four nuclear reactors which are set to be completed by 2020. “The first one will be finished in 2017 and the remaining three in the following years. Nuclear energy forms an important part of future energy strategy.”
The nuclear plants are being built in Baraka near Abu Dhabi. The total cost of the project is more than $20 billions. “The location of the project is safe. It is away from inhabited areas and not in the zone of earthquakes. Safety and security is our top priority. More than 1,300 employees are working on it,” he while speaking at the Arab Energy Conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Ministers from Gulf Cooperation Council and other Arab countries are taking part in the event.
Energy demand in the UAE is growing at an annual rate of about 9 per cent — three times the global average. The country is also emphasising on solar energy to meet its energy demand.
Meanwhile, Dr Abdelmajid Mahjoub, director general of Arab Atomic Energy 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.”
