With rising energy demand and environmental concerns, the UAE has become more focused on the development of nuclear energy for address the future energy needs.

ESR Technology, an engineering, safety and risk management consultancy, has said that a new industry is gradually emerging around, which is referred as the first civil nuclear power program of the Arab world, as reported by Gulf Daily News.

The UAE is estimated to have invested nearly $60 Billion in a nuclear program. According to an official projection, the electricity demand in the UAE is expected to grow at an annual rate of 9% to reach the peak of over 40,000 MW by 2020. Additionally, the UAE has decided to give $10 Million to the International Atomic Energy Authority for the enrichment of low quality uranium to ensure a constant supply of nuclear fuel.

The federal government has also established the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation entrusted with the responsibility of intensifying promotional and preparatory activities. The activities are aimed to help in the deploying peaceful civil nuclear power. 

Pat Lawless, Chief Executive, ESR Technology, said "Several GCC countries have shown interest in nuclear energy but it is in the UAE where moves to establish a legal and regulatory framework for the new industry are at an advanced stage with firm decisions expected any time now", as reported by Gulf Daily News.

Lawless further said, “The oil and gas industry is vital to the economies of the Arabian Gulf but we are now beginning to see a new high technology industry quickly growing in the region as the UAE presses on with its nuclear power plans.” 

Moreover, the UAE has signed a MOU (Memorandums of Understanding) on nuclear energy with leading nuclear power countries like the US, the UK, Japan and France. Nuclear reactors from US and France are being assessed. Also, the international teams of professionals have started setting up the nuclear industry in the UAE. 

As per a government report, the known resources of natural gas are insufficient to fulfill the demand while using coal and oil for power generation is a big threat to the environment. 

According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, “The energy demand in the UAE has been soaring with the boom in the construction industry. Nuclear power production is not only environment friendly and commercially competitive alternative, but also plays critical role in the economic development of the country and securing the future energy requirements.”

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