Russia, UAE extend MoU on cooperation

16 October 2019

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has renewed its 2017 Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy with Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom. The document was signed by Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC, and Alexey Likhachov, Rosatom director general, in Abu Dhabi during Russian President Vladimir Putin's official visit to the United Arab Emirates.

Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC, and Alexey Likhachov, director general of Rosatom, during the MoU signing ceremony (Image: Rosatom)

The MoU establishes a general framework for possible cooperation between the parties in numerous spheres, ENEC and Rosatom said in identical statements. These include the creation of a nuclear science centre in the UAE, plant development and investment, nuclear fuel cycle management, training of UAE nationals, among others.

Al Hammadi said: "Such cooperation is the result of our commitment to working with international partners to benefit from the global cumulative experience of the nuclear energy industry and ensure the highest standards of quality, safety and security as we develop the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme."

Likhachov said the two companies had been working in the nuclear fuel cycle area for many years. "At the same time," he said, "collaboration can be extended in many other different directions, which is quite promising for both sides. We can consider the possibility of developing nuclear power projects, and collaboration over non-energy nuclear projects."

ENEC and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power are buiding four APR1400 nuclear power units at Barakah units, in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News