ENEC and ADNOC team up to support UAE energy diversification
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and government-owned diversified energy group ADNOC are to evaluate the deployment of advanced nuclear technology such as small modular reactors to support the UAE's energy diversification strategy, and will look into using excess heat from the Barakah nuclear power plant in ADNOC's oil and gas operations.
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A strategic collaboration agreement to research and explore developing innovative energy solutions to enhance energy efficiency signed by the two companies involves a comprehensive technical and economic assessment to identify the best-fit nuclear reactor technologies for ADNOC by leveraging ENEC’s expertise in assessing technological performance in pilot projects as well as future technologies under development, ENEC said.
The agreement also covers feasibility studies to assess opportunities to use excess heat from Barakah, with recommendations for advanced technologies that can be demonstrated through existing or upcoming pilot projects.
Ahmed Al Mazrouei, nuclear research and development vice president at ENEC, said the collaboration was a significant step forward in the company's ongoing commitment to advancing new technologies and driving research and development in the UAE’s energy sector. "By focusing on cutting-edge nuclear innovations and exploring new methods to harness excess heat for industrial applications, we are strengthening the UAE’s green economy. Together with ADNOC, we will leverage our combined technical capabilities and expertise to identify and develop nuclear solutions that enhance energy security and sustainability in parallel," he said.
"In collaborating with ENEC, we will explore the deployment of small modular nuclear reactors as we develop innovative energy solutions to enhance our operational efficiency," ADNOC Senior Vice President for Technology and Innovation Ali Al Rawahi said. "Our partnership underscores our mutual commitment to scaling a reliable and clean energy source, as well as developing pioneering advancements in lower-carbon energy and technological innovation."
Founded in 1971, ADNOC - the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company - is a diversified energy group, with a network of fully integrated businesses operating across the energy value chain. The company, which claims already to be among the lowest carbon intensity oil and gas producers in the world, has allocated an initial USD23 billion to advance and accelerate lower-carbon solutions, and is investing in new energies and decarbonisation technologies to reach its ambition of net zero by 2045 and a commitment to zero methane emissions by 2030.
The new collaboration aligns with the UAE's Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to increase the contribution of clean energy sources and improve energy efficiency across the country, ENEC said.
The fourth and final unit of ENEC's Barakah nuclear power plant entered commercial operation in September. The plant is now generating 40 TWh annually, equivalent to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs, while preventing the release of 22.4 million tonnes of carbon per year.
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