As U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright begins his first official tour of the Middle East, he has made the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a key stop on his itinerary.
Wright’s visit underscores the growing importance of nuclear energy in the context of global energy demands and geopolitical considerations, particularly in light of advancing nuclear initiatives by China and Russia.
The energy secretary’s schedule includes a noteworthy visit to the Barakah civil nuclear power plant located in al-Dhafra.
This visit comes at a time when nuclear energy is being increasingly seen as a critical component for achieving decarbonization targets and supplying power for expanding tech infrastructures, including data centers and artificial intelligence projects that demand substantial, reliable energy.
The UAE’s responsible, cooperative approach to nuclear energy development serves as a significant model in a region often scrutinized for potential proliferation risks.
In 2008, the Emirati government took a landmark step by adopting a policy document focused on “The Evaluation and Potential Development of Peaceful Nuclear Energy.”
This initiative laid out a comprehensive framework for establishing a civil nuclear power program in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
As a result, by 2020, the first of Barakah’s four advanced reactors was connected to the national grid, with the final reactor expected to begin commercial operations in September 2024.
Eventually, Barakah is set to provide 5.6 gigawatts, constituting around 25 percent of the UAE’s power needs and forming the largest share of its low-carbon energy mix.
The government’s 2008 guidelines outlined six critical benchmarks to ensure the successful implementation of its nuclear program, which include operational transparency, stringent nonproliferation measures, safety protocols, collaboration with the IAEA, partnerships with responsible nations, and a focus on long-term sustainability.
The UAE’s commitment to nonproliferation is illustrated through its adoption of multiple international treaties, including the Additional Protocol under its safeguards agreement with the IAEA.
This framework grants the IAEA the authority to ensure that all nuclear material is used exclusively for peaceful purposes and not diverted toward developing nuclear weapons.
Significantly, the UAE entered into a crucial agreement with the United States, known as the “123 Agreement” for peaceful nuclear energy cooperation, which orients the country away from uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing.
This arrangement serves as an empowering model for other nations in the region, particularly for Saudi Arabia, which is seeking to establish its own civil nuclear program as part of its ongoing dialogue for a defense pact with the U.S.
The push for nuclear energy stems primarily from its status as a low-carbon energy source.
Nuclear plants are designed to generate a stable and flexible power supply that can be aligned with the electrical grid’s demand, differing significantly from renewable energy sources that may offer intermittent power.
Currently, nuclear energy boasts the highest capacity factor compared to natural gas, coal, wind, and solar power, meaning it operates at maximum capacity more consistently.
Additionally, nuclear facilities can repurpose their excess heat for industrial applications, such as metal refining, showcasing their versatility.
While the nuclear sector experienced stagnation following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, recent years have seen a resurgence.
During the COP28 climate conference in Abu Dhabi in 2023, global leaders endorsed a “Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy” by 2050, highlighting the renewed interest in nuclear power.
As of now, approximately 410 nuclear reactors operate across more than thirty nations, collectively contributing around 9 percent to global power generation.
Nevertheless, the pathway to expanding civil nuclear power faces numerous challenges, including high capital costs and prolonged construction timelines that complicate financing strategies.
Although small modular reactors (SMRs) are viewed as the future, they must overcome several hurdles, particularly regarding costs and uranium supply chains.
Safety protocols in the industry will also necessitate enhancements as new technologies are adopted.
China and Russia are advancing their nuclear initiatives, with the International Energy Agency noting that most of the fifty-two reactors initiated from 2017 to 2024 were based on Chinese or Russian designs targeted at emerging markets.
To navigate these challenges, strategic international cooperation and sustained investment in research and development will be critical.
As nuclear technology progresses, parallel advancements in safety policies and regulations are also necessary.
The UAE and the United States hold significant potential for collaboration in this arena, especially now that Abu Dhabi aims to position itself as a regional hub for artificial intelligence while simultaneously expanding its nuclear footprint both domestically and internationally.
image source from：https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/setting-next-phase-us-uae-nuclear-cooperation
