UAE on the road to nuclear energy

The UAE nuclear power programme moved from policy and planning to large-scale implementation when the country signed a Dh75 billion contract with a consortium from South Korea to build and service four reactors.

The new nuclear plants will help the country meet its increasing need for power as its economy and population grow in the coming years.

Nuclear energy is among the most cost effective and environmentally sustainable sources of power available at present, especially when the safe maintenance and running of plants is a priority, as is the case in the UAE. An integral part of the contracts is the transfer of technology and the training of nationals to safely manage and service the plants and to allow for the development of a local industry that can support the operation of the plants, among other economic benefits.

The transparent and thorough manner in which the government has prepared its nuclear programme has assured the world that it is only being developed for peaceful purposes and this has given it access to the most modern technology.

In addition, the transparent process has allowed the UAE to ensure that it is getting the best commercial terms presently possible for the building and servicing of the plants.