UAE’s nuclear programme driver of development

ABU DHABI - Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, hailed the UAE peaceful nuclear programme as driver of the country’s social and economic development and as a way to create jobs and study opportunities for UAE citizens.

By (WAM)

Published: Wed 29 Dec 2010, 12:15 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 1:59 PM

He stressed that operational transparency in its peaceful nuclear energy program is a priority for the UAE and one of the pillars of its nuclear energy policy.

Sheikh Hamdan made his remarks as he received, at Al Nakheel Palace, a delegation from the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) led by its Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Al Hammadi.

He further stressed that the UAE is seeking to meet the increasing domestic demand on electricity through civilian nuclear energy program and has based its decision to implement its nuclear programme on an evaluation of the available options including economic and environmental performance, security of supplies and the capacity of those options to realize economic diversification.

Sheikh Hamdan also stressed that the UAE is committed to work directly with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and conform to its standards.

He further underscored the prominent stature the UAE enjoys both regionally and internationally under the leadership of his President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and under the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

For his part, Al Hammadi, who gave a presentation on the UAE’s nuclear policy and ENEC which filed the Construction Licence Application for Braka Units 1 and 2, in the Western Region, with the UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).

Commenting on ENEC’s human resource development, Al Hammadi noted that establishment is planning to increase the number of UAE nationals, who now account for 55% of its total workforce, through its partnerships with the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, the Institute of Applied Technology.