The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Westinghouse Electric Company signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday in Washington to explore collaborative opportunities in the development and deployment of advanced nuclear energy solutions in the United States.
This agreement aligns with the U.S. goals of quadrupling nuclear power generation by 2050 to address the increasing energy demand, particularly with the growth of artificial intelligence and technology sectors. The collaboration will leverage ENEC’s global expertise in developing and operating large nuclear power plants along with Westinghouse’s pioneering technologies in the nuclear energy domain.
As part of the memorandum, both companies will investigate ways to accelerate the deployment of the fully licensed and ready-to-build “AP1000®” reactor in the U.S. Additionally, ENEC and Westinghouse will look for avenues of cooperation across a broad spectrum of initiatives, including new nuclear energy projects, the revival of stalled projects in the U.S., and the development of business models and operational strategies for deploying “AP1000®” reactors. They will also identify collaborative opportunities in fuel supply chains, operational services, and maintenance.
Mohammed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, stated that the world is increasingly turning to nuclear energy as a vital solution for providing clean and reliable baseload electricity to meet growing energy demands while safeguarding electricity networks. He emphasized that this collaboration with Westinghouse brings together two leading firms in the nuclear energy sector, backed by ENEC’s track record in advancing one of the most progressive nuclear energy programs globally.
He added that this partnership serves as a significant step toward supporting U.S. ambitions to accelerate capacity expansion in nuclear energy, thereby strengthening the established energy partnership between the UAE and the United States.
Dan Somers, CEO of Westinghouse, expressed that the U.S. has an ambitious vision to create 10 large nuclear reactors by 2030. Westinghouse is working closely with its industry partners to realize this goal, and its “AP1000®” technology is currently the only fully licensed and construction-ready reactor available for achieving this target.
This memorandum of understanding is part of ENEC’s broader strategy to seek investment and collaboration opportunities in the development and implementation of nuclear energy technologies worldwide. It aims to facilitate the advancement of peaceful nuclear energy projects and enhance energy security and sustainability.
By sharing the expertise and insights gained from the commercial operation of the Barakah nuclear power plants, ENEC supports countries and organizations looking to incorporate nuclear energy into their clean energy strategies, promoting responsible growth in nuclear power to meet the rising global energy demands while strengthening electricity grids.