Al-Mazrouei: Nuclear programs needed to solve energy shortage

Countries around the world are seriously considering peaceful nuclear energy programs to solve the shortage of energy, according to UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohammed Al-Mazrouei.
“More than 70 new nuclear energy plants are being constructed in 14 countries and more than 40 responsible nations are considering commencing nuclear energy programs,” Al-Mazrouei said while opening the four-day New Nuclear International Conference (NNIC), which is hosted by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal. Thirty-four countries are being represented at the four-day conference.
“I recently attended the World Energy Congress and had the opportunity to meet with the world’s energy leaders. I found that countries around the world are announcing that they are considering peaceful nuclear energy programs,” the minister added.
“Peaceful nuclear energy will provide the UAE with a diversified energy mix, delivering reliable electricity while adhering to our responsibility to deliver clean energy for the growth of the nation,” he added.
“In the UAE, we are moving decisively forward with an energy portfolio that is adequately diversified and balances our need for a constant and growing electricity supply with our responsibility to implement cleaner, low-carbon technologies,” Al-Mazrouei added.
Mohamed Al-Hammadi, ENEC CEO, addressing the NNIC delegates during the inaugural session, highlighted the importance of conferences such as the NNIC to provide a platform for nuclear energy officials and energy policy makers from nations around the world to discuss a new future for nuclear energy, as it is a unique technology that is able to provide clean and reliable electricity to responsible nations around the world.
Meanwhile, ENEC on Sunday hosted a group of delegates of the NNIC at Barakah, the selected site of the UAE peaceful nuclear energy program for a site tour. The group, composed of government officials, nuclear energy leaders and experts from around the globe had the opportunity to gain insight of the ongoing construction work of the Barakah site, where the UAE’s first two nuclear energy plants are under construction.
Hosted by Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) George Vanderheyden and Executive Project and Construction Director Ali Al-Zaabi, the site tour provided attendees with an overview of the complex and extensive construction program under way on site.