UAE enters 3 MOUs with Chinese firms for nuclear energy collaboration

The MOUs cover partnerships in operation, maintenance, supply, and investment.

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has signed three memoranda of understanding (MOU) with three Chinese nuclear firms for collaboration in the energy sector, covering operation and maintenance, amongst others.

In a statement, ENEC said it signed two MOUs with the Nuclear Power Operations Research Institute and the China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas, with the first deal focusing on possible collaboration in nuclear energy operations and maintenance.

The second MOU covers cooperation in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors.

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ENEC said the third agreement inked with China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation will look into collaboration opportunities in nuclear fuel supply and investment.

China has 56 nuclear energy plants that are operating with 20 more units under construction. It is also planning to invest $440b to develop 150 reactors in the next 15 years.

Meanwhile, ENEC manages the development of the Arab World’s first operational nuclear energy plant, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.