On the sidelines of “COP28″… Memorandum of understanding between the UAE and Bill Gates in this field
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding with the American company Terapower, owned by American businessman Bill Gates, for cooperation in the development of applications for nuclear energy reactor technologies.
According to the memorandum of understanding, the corporation and the American company, specialized in innovation in the nuclear energy sector, will collaborate in various areas, including the technical design and commercial feasibility of developing sodium technology. This technology was invented by Terapower in both the UAE and the United States, as reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The memorandum of understanding was signed by the Deputy CEO of Research and Development at the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Ahmed Al Mazrouei, and the CEO of Terapower, Chris Laviscak, during an event held on the sidelines of the climate summit “COP28.”
The sodium technology, developed by the American company, will be primarily used to produce carbon-free electricity. It will also be applied to non-traditional nuclear energy applications, including hydrogen production and ways to accelerate carbon footprint reduction in sectors requiring large amounts of energy, using environmentally friendly electricity.
Sodium technology focuses on reactor designs based on sodium cooling technology, known for its cost competitiveness. Additionally, it involves an electricity storage system using molten salt, providing a stable supply of carbon-free energy that seamlessly integrates with power grids.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and Terapower will also assess ways to enhance the use of sodium technology to ensure grid stability by developing significant electricity storage capabilities.
Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, stated during the signing, “Our main message at COP28 is that nuclear energy has a pivotal role in achieving carbon neutrality, aligning with the recent announcement by world leaders on the necessity to triple nuclear energy production capacity by 2050.”
He added that nuclear energy in the UAE plays a fundamental role in the country’s strategy and the progress made in the field of clean energy. The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is the largest contributor to reducing the carbon footprint in the country’s history.
He emphasized that the memorandum of understanding with Terapower will contribute to facilitating collaboration to advance nuclear energy technology to a more advanced level. This includes accelerating the development and use of this technology to innovate new and sustainable energy solutions, including hydrogen.
After the success in developing one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation will explore opportunities for collaboration with Terapower. The partnership will enable both sides to benefit from lessons learned in project management, construction, integration, operations, research, and development.
Moreover, the memorandum of understanding opens the door for the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation to lead the process of exporting sodium technology to the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. This aims to accelerate global commercialization and export of this technology jointly under licensing agreements with Terapower. This falls within the framework of the “Partnership for Accelerating Environmentally Friendly Energy” program, launched by the UAE and the United States in April 2023. The program aims to accelerate the development of carbon-free energy, address climate change, and finance clean energy technology.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation focuses on enhancing the achievements of the UAE’s peaceful nuclear program by promoting innovation and partnerships in advanced technologies such as small modular reactors and increasing global use of nuclear technologies.
Over the past 15 years, the corporation has developed the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the cornerstone of the nuclear energy sector in the UAE. It has become the largest single source of clean electricity in the region, with one station remaining to achieve full operation of its four stations. The project is expected to provide 25% of the country’s electricity needs with zero carbon emissions, while offering thousands of meaningful jobs for Emirati talents.
