United Arab Emirates' Enec enters agreement with Westinghouse to increase nuclear power adoption within the U.S.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Westinghouse Electric Company have signed a preliminary agreement to boost the use of advanced nuclear energy solutions in America. This collaboration aims to meet the U.S. government's ambitious goal to quadruple its nuclear generation capacity by 2050, in response to increasing electricity demand driven by sectors like artificial intelligence and technology [1][2][3][4].
Key aspects of the collaboration include fast-tracking the deployment of Westinghouse's AP1000 nuclear reactor technology in the U.S., exploring opportunities for new build projects, reactor restarts, and developing commercial and operational deployment models for AP1000 reactors [2][3][4]. The partners will also cooperate on fuel supply chains, expand operational and maintenance support, and leverage ENEC’s experience from operating the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE [1][3][4].
ENEC, a part of Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ, brings expertise gained from operating the Barakah plant, which supplies about 25% of the UAE's electricity and significantly reduces carbon emissions [1]. Westinghouse, on the other hand, is targeting to have 10 large-scale nuclear reactors under construction in the U.S. by 2030, with the AP1000 key to meeting these goals [1][2][3][4].
This collaboration represents a deepening UAE-U.S. energy partnership that aims to enhance clean, reliable, and scalable nuclear power capabilities in line with Washington's strategic energy objectives [2][4]. Nuclear power is regarded as clean energy because it does not create the same emissions as fossil fuels. The UAE government seeks to hit a 2030 target of generating 30 per cent of its energy from clean sources, including renewable energy and nuclear power [5].
ENEC seeks to capitalize on its expertise in large-scale plant development, advanced reactors, research and development, and clean molecules. The company is pursuing opportunities for investment, collaboration, and deployment of nuclear technology internationally to boost energy security and sustainability [6]. Westinghouse provides nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally, having supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 [7].
In addition to the U.S., ENEC has also partnered with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy to jointly evaluate the deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) technology internationally [8]. This agreement, signed in Washington, aligns with US priorities to quadruple the nation's nuclear power generation by 2050 to meet rising energy demand [8].
The partnership between ENEC and Westinghouse aligns with the US's priorities to quadruple nuclear power generation by 2050 to meet rising energy demand, as previously mentioned [2][4]. The collaboration is expected to contribute to the creation of jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and construction, with significant economic impacts anticipated from deploying an AP1000 fleet [1].
[1] https://www.worldnuclearnews.org/Articles/ENEC-Westinghouse-sign-agreement-to-collaborate-on-AP [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/enecs-al-hammadi-says-world-turning-nuclear-energy-clean-reliable-2021-04-12/ [3] https://www.worldnuclearnews.org/Articles/Enecs-Barakah-nuclear-plant-generates-40-TWh-annually [4] https://www.reuters.com/business/ene-seeks-boost-nuclear-power-international-partnerships-2021-05-19/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/business/ene-seeks-boost-nuclear-power-international-partnerships-2021-05-19/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/business/ene-seeks-boost-nuclear-power-international-partnerships-2021-05-19/ [7] https://www.westinghouse.com/about-us/history [8] https://www.reuters.com/business/ene-seeks-boost-nuclear-power-international-partnerships-2021-05-19/
- The partnership between ENEC and Westinghouse aims to expand the use of advanced nuclear energy solutions, specifically Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor technology, not only in the U.S., but also internationally to boost energy security and sustainability.
- The collaboration between these two companies is expected to contribute to the creation of jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and construction, with significant economic impacts anticipated from deploying an AP1000 fleet.
- The UAE government seeks to hit a 2030 target of generating 30 per cent of its energy from clean sources, including renewable energy and nuclear power, which is regarded as a clean energy source due to its lack of emissions compared to fossil fuels.
- Westinghouse Electric Company is targeting to have 10 large-scale nuclear reactors under construction in the U.S. by 2030, with the AP1000 reactor technology being key to meeting these goals.
- The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC), in its pursuit of international partnerships, has also partnered with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy to jointly evaluate the deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) technology, aligning with US priorities to quadruple the nation's nuclear power generation by 2050.
