Emirates News Agency – Emirates Nuclear Energy and French EDF Collaborate on Research and Development

ABU DHABI, June 30, 2021 (WAM) – Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has signed a letter of intent with French electricity company EDF to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation on research and development (R&D) in. to develop the nuclear energy sector.

The collaboration is part of ENEC’s commitment to advancing the UAE’s nuclear power industry, supporting innovation, clean power generation and the fight against climate change.

The MoU will enhance the strategic partnership between the two entities by sharing global expertise and the latest advances in the nuclear energy sector, as well as research into the production of green hydrogen powered by carbon-free nuclear energy.

EDF (Électricité de France) is a French multinational energy company that is largely owned by the French state. As the leading nuclear operator of the world’s largest nuclear fleet, EDF supports the global energy transition by exporting its know-how in low-carbon energies such as nuclear power, renewable energies and energy services.

Since November 2018, EDF has been offering a range of services to the operations and maintenance JV subsidiary Nawah Energy Company of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. This includes operational safety, radiation protection, fuel cycle management and environmental monitoring. Expertise is provided through engineering studies, on-site support, training and benchmarking sessions.

This year’s signing took place as part of the annual E-FUSION (Emirati French Industrial Supply Chain Initiative for Nuclear), a two-day event as part of a partnership between ENEC and Business France, an Emirati-French initiative to create a local supply chain for the nuclear sector. The event, launched in 2019 by ENEC, EDF and GIFEN (French Nuclear Cluster), aims to build new Franco-Emirati trade relations in the nuclear sector.

ENEC’s Barakah power plant is one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world with four APR-1400 units. Construction of the plant began in 2012 and has progressed steadily since then. Unit 1 started commercial operation in April 2021. Unit 2 has now completed the fuel loading process and works through all the necessary processes before commissioning.

The construction of blocks 3 and 4 is in the final phase, with blocks 94 percent and 89 percent completed. This means that the construction of the entire Barakah plant is more than 95 percent complete.