With the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 setting ambitious goals for clean energy, the collaboration between ENEC and ADNOC is a crucial step towards achieving these objectives
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) has signed a strategic collaboration agreement (SCA) with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to explore the use of cutting-edge nuclear technologies to enhance energy efficiency in the UAE’s oil and gas sector.
The agreement marks a significant step in advancing the UAE’s energy diversification strategy.
It outlines a comprehensive technical and economic assessment to evaluate the potential deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and other advanced reactor technologies that could support ADNOC’s energy needs.
In addition, the partnership will explore the use of excess heat from the Barakah plant to improve energy efficiency across ADNOC’s operations.
ENEC-ADNOC: Leveraging nuclear technology for efficiency gains
As part of the agreement, ENEC will bring its expertise in nuclear reactor technology to assess the feasibility of implementing SMRs and advanced reactor solutions tailored to ADNOC’s operational needs.
The collaboration will also focus on utilising the excess heat generated by the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which is located in Abu Dhabi, to enhance energy efficiency in the UAE’s oil and gas industry.
Ahmed Al Mazrouei, VP of Nuclear Research and Development at ENEC, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, stating, “This strategic collaboration with ADNOC is a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing new technologies and driving innovation within the UAE’s energy sector.
“Together, we will explore the potential of cutting-edge nuclear technologies to support energy-intensive industries, helping drive the UAE’s green economy and ensuring a sustainable energy future.”
A vision for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future
The partnership between ENEC and ADNOC aligns with the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to increase the share of clean energy in the nation’s energy mix and improve energy efficiency across all sectors.
As part of this strategy, the UAE has been making substantial investments in nuclear energy, with the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant now generating 40 TWh annually — equivalent to 25 per cent of the country’s electricity needs.
Ali Al Rawahi, SVP for Technology and Innovation at ADNOC, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “By exploring the deployment of small modular nuclear reactors, we aim to enhance our operational efficiency while also contributing to the development of reliable, clean energy solutions. This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to pioneering advancements in lower-carbon energy, which will play a key role in ADNOC’s efforts to decarbonise its operations.”
The focus on utilising excess heat from the Barakah plant adds another layer of sustainability to the project.
The potential to repurpose waste heat for industrial applications could significantly improve overall energy efficiency in ADNOC’s operations, helping the company meet its sustainability targets while reducing its carbon footprint.
A growing focus on SMRs
The move to explore SMR technology is part of a broader global trend in which energy-intensive industries are looking to nuclear energy as a reliable and low-carbon power source.
\SMRs, which are compact and scalable reactors, are gaining traction due to their ability to provide continuous, high-quality energy needed for operations that run around the clock.
The collaboration between ENEC and ADNOC is expected to pave the way for further research and pilot projects that could eventually lead to the deployment of SMRs in the UAE’s energy landscape.
The partnership between the energy majors comes at a time when nuclear energy is increasingly being recognised for its ability to provide clean, baseload electricity, essential for industries that require a steady and reliable power supply.
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