ENEC partners with Westinghouse on US nuclear expansion
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Westinghouse Electric Company have signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate nuclear energy deployment across the United States, marking a significant collaboration between Emirati expertise and American nuclear ambitions.
The agreement, signed in Washington DC yesterday, aims to support the US goal of quadrupling nuclear generation capacity by 2050 to meet surging electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence expansion and the broader technology sector.
Under the partnership, both companies will explore opportunities to fast-track deployment of Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor technology, described as the only fully licensed, construction-ready large modular reactor currently available. The collaboration will also examine fuel supply chain cooperation and potential expansion of Westinghouse's operational support at the UAE's Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.
His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, ENEC's Managing Director and CEO, emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership: "The world is turning to nuclear energy as a necessity for delivering clean and reliable baseload electricity. Our collaboration with Westinghouse brings together two leaders in our fields."
Dan Sumner, Westinghouse's interim CEO, highlighted America's ambitious nuclear targets, stating, “the U.S. has a bold vision to have 10 large-scale nuclear reactors under construction by 2030, and Westinghouse is working closely with industry partners to make this a reality." He noted that an AP1000 fleet deployment would create tens of thousands of manufacturing, engineering, and construction jobs whilst delivering billions in economic impact.
The partnership leverages ENEC's proven track record from the Barakah plant, which currently generates approximately 25% of the UAE's electricity whilst preventing 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. All four Barakah units are operational, producing 40 TWh of clean electricity around the clock.
This collaboration represents ENEC's broader international strategy to share nuclear expertise gained from successfully delivering and operating one of the world's most advanced nuclear programmes, supporting global efforts to integrate nuclear energy into clean energy strategies.
