There are varying stances being adopted on the production of nuclear energy by the fraternity of nations and in this decades-old global flux, a resounding note of confidence has been sounded by the UAE. A new national poll reveals that eight out of 10 people are in favour of nuclear energy, as the country readies for the completion of its first nuclear energy plant by 2020. The first of the four UAE’s nuclear reactors in the Barakah Western Region is 94 per cent complete while the other three units are 78 per cent complete.
At 83 per cent, the UAE’s poll numbers are among the highest favourability rates for nuclear energy in the world, according to the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. A whopping 92 per cent of the poll respondents also believed that nuclear energy was important to their country.
This is a noteworthy development in the current global nuclear power production scenario that, for example, has Europe, US, UK slow pedalling on nuclear energy production, and even aiming for a phase-out, while economic giants in Asia such as China and India are in vigorous pursuit of it. According to the International Energy Agency, at the start of 2014, there were 72 nuclear reactors under construction worldwide, the largest number in 25 years which finds resonance in the compelling case being made by experts to make nuclear power a vital component of a balanced energy strategy. This provides contextual impetus to UAE’s commitment to a sustainable future powered by clean energy solutions.
The UAE is also fully dedicated to the health and safety aspects of nuclear power production and the high poll results reflect the confidence of the people in their government’s ability and vision.
