U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council & NEI Lead U.S. Commercial Nuclear Trade Mission to the United Arab Emirates
The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) co-hosted a Nuclear Trade Mission to the United Arab Emirates from December 13 through December 15, 2015. Thirteen U.S.-based organizations attended the three-day trade mission to promote business opportunities for U.S. companies within the nuclear energy sector, in support of the 2009 “123 Agreement” with the U.A.E.
Delegates met with officials from the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and the Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation (FANR), and attended a site visit to the U.A.E.’s civilian nuclear energy complex at Barakah in Al Gharbia.
Please see below for more information about ENEC and FANR.
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In December 2009, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, established by decree the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the organization charged with implementing the UAE nuclear energy program as it produces electricity, supports economic development, and provides opportunity for the people of the nation.
ENEC specializes in the deployment, ownership and operation of nuclear power plants within the UAE.
In addition, ENEC is responsible for:
- Overseeing the work of the eventual Prime Contractor in the design, construction and operation phases.
- Working closely with the Abu Dhabi and Federal governments to ensure that the civil nuclear power program is aligned with the industrial infrastructure plans of the UAE. This will include overseeing work that will be done near the eventual power plant site, which would include community development, roads, utility and telecommunications projects.
- Working to build the human resource capacity for the nuclear energy program in coordination with the educational sector in the UAE.
- Developing public communications and education programs to ensure that UAE residents understand the civil nuclear energy program and are provided information on the program’s progress.
The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) is the independent government body charged with regulating and licensing nuclear activities in the UAE, which in addition to the nuclear power programme, includes radioactive material and radiation sources used in medicine, research, oil exploration and other industries.
The Authority determines all matters relating to the control and supervision of the nuclear sector in the UAE, in particular nuclear safety and security, radiation protection and safeguards. All obligations under the relevant international treaties, conventions or agreements entered into by the UAE are carried out by FANR.
