UEA company ‘pursuing new phase’ of investing in, collaborating with and consulting on reactors
Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (Enec) and South Korean construction company Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Hyundai E&C) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore international opportunities in nuclear energy.
Enec said in a statement on 28 July that the agreement comes at a time when global momentum for nuclear energy is growing rapidly, as countries pursue clean, secure and scalable energy solutions to meet surging electricity demand.
The MoU provides a comprehensive framework for knowledge sharing, the evaluation of project participation, and assessment of investment opportunities, Enec said.
It also includes the formation of a joint working group to identify areas of mutual interest and support the development of future nuclear energy initiatives.
Enec, established in 2009 to oversee all aspects of the United Arab Emirates’ civil nuclear energy programme, including construction of the four-unit Barakah nuclear station, said it is pursuing a new phase of investing in, collaborating with and consulting on nuclear power reactors. It is also advancing new nuclear technologies both locally and internationally.
“With Barakah fully operational, Enec is now focused on working with global partners to support the acceleration of nuclear deployment and committed to working with all responsible nations looking to deploy new nuclear or expand their existing fleets, and MoUs with companies such as Hyundai E&C are a clear demonstration of this approach,” the Enec statement said.
The collaboration between Enec and Hyundai E&C builds on a longstanding partnership between the UAE and the South Korea.
Hyundai E&C was the lead contractor in the construction of Barakah, whose units are all APR1400 plants supplied by South Korea. The fourth unit at Barakah began commercial operation in September 2024.
The collaboration reflects a broader global shift toward increased investment in nuclear energy technologies, Enec said.
“Nuclear energy is gaining renewed momentum as the demand for electricity is rapidly increasing, driven by the exponential growth of AI technologies, hyperscale data centres, and heavy industry, alongside expanding electrification across various sectors,” it said.
“This digital transformation and industrial electrification are placing unprecedented pressure on power grids worldwide, which require innovative solutions in energy generation to meet the surging demand sustainably.”
Enec said nuclear is now widely seen as one of the few proven options for delivering reliable, low-carbon baseload electricity at scale to power the energy transition.
Last week Enec and US-based Westinghouse signed an MoU to explore collaboration opportunities for the deployment of nuclear power plants in the US.
