Nuclear Energy’s Crucial Role in Accelerating the Global Clean Energy Transition: Insights from ENEC Official
Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), emphasized the pivotal role of nuclear technology in decarbonizing challenging-to-abate sectors during the World Nuclear Symposium (WNS) 2023, held from 6th to 8th September in London, United Kingdom.
Al Hammadi, along with Dr. Angela Wilkinson from the World Energy Council, Todd Noe, Director of Nuclear Technologies Engineering at Microsoft, and Mikal Boe, CEO of Core Power, actively participated in a discussion session titled ‘Achieving End-users Decarbonization Goals with Nuclear Energy.’
Gathering top nuclear industry leaders, experts, and executives, the event provided a platform for Al Hammadi to shed light on how nuclear power can sustainably fuel energy-intensive industries. Among these industries are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centers, which are experiencing exponential growth due to the ongoing digital revolution.
Data centers alone currently consume 4-5% of the world’s total power supply, a figure expected to rise with increased digitalization.
Al Hammadi noted, “The UAE stands as a testament to the successful harnessing of nuclear energy’s potential through the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. Today, we support green industrialization by delivering clean electricity and facilitating Clean Energy Certificates, which play a crucial role in decarbonizing businesses and unlocking global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds, valued at $30 trillion and projected to double by 2030.”
During the panel discussion, Al Hammadi underscored nuclear energy’s indispensable role in achieving Net Zero emissions and its potential to significantly expedite the global energy transition. With concerted international efforts, nuclear energy can be scaled up to address our pressing energy challenges.
He further emphasized that by recognizing nuclear energy as a key clean energy source for decarbonization and ensuring its prominence in discussions at events like COP28, the industry can garner the necessary support to make the impactful strides required for Net Zero emissions.
The development of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE has served as a catalyst for innovation and research in emerging areas, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are a vital component of ENEC’s future growth strategy, alongside other next-generation technologies. Nuclear energy, as exemplified by the Barakah Plant, serves as a bridge to future energy sources, such as clean hydrogen and other sustainable molecules.
WNS is dedicated to spotlighting the role of nuclear energy in global growth and prosperity. This year’s event featured discussions on a wide range of topics, including ‘Fueling Our Nuclear Future: The Nuclear Fuel Report 2023,’ ‘Putting People First: Leading the Industry to Success,’ ‘Investing in Nuclear,’ and ‘Optimizing Plant Life Performance (in collaboration with WANO).’ The symposium serves as a platform for advancing nuclear energy’s contribution to a sustainable and low-carbon future.
