Abu Dhabi, UAE, 26 October 2016:  Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), has spoken on the past fifty years of nation building and Abu Dhabi’s ceaseless pursuit of a brighter future. Al Hammadi emphasized the pride brought on by the occasion, a reflection of the extraordinary efforts committed to the advancement of the Emirate.

The accomplishments witnessed by the UAE today can be attributed to the nation’s visionary leaders who have launched and guided the country through multiple stages of development. Today the UAE stands out as an influential player on the world stage, having secured itself a preeminent position within the international community. 

Al Hammadi highlighted the fact that ENEC and the UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program is a direct result of the efforts and visionary thinking laid out in the Abu Dhabi Plan. The Plan emphasizes the vital nature of infrastructure development and environmental protection, both of which are primary components of ENEC’s mission. Developing a safe, clean, and sustainable source of energy while preserving the UAE’s unique natural heritage, is at the core of what ENEC is working to achieve.

Additionally, Al Hammadi detailed how the UAE’s nuclear energy sector has become a key driver of the country’s economic and social growth. Not only will the sector contribute to the diversification of the country’s energy mix, but it is creating hundreds of employment opportunities, providing talented citizens with the chance to further develop their skills, and supporting hundreds of local businesses and communities in the Emirate.

ENEC’s CEO also pointed out that the UAE has been a regional pioneer in developing a peaceful nuclear energy program and building the requisite infrastructure. Since implementing the project to build four units consecutively, Abu Dhabi’s achievements in the field of nuclear energy have been nothing short of extraordinary. Abu Dhabi’s government realized early on the value of developing a strategic project of this magnitude, which adheres to the highest international safety and quality standards, and will provide the nation with a new source of clean, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly energy.

Al Hammadi emphasized that ENEC is continuously moving forward in implementing the UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program. Most recently, ENEC has entered into a Joint Venture and announced the Financial Closing for the Barakah Plant with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). The collaboration will see KEPCO apply its 40 years of experience to the project, further advancing the program’s international standing.

Al Hammadi concluded that, on this anniversary, ENEC is more determined than ever before to complete its Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant project. Today, the overall development of Barakah is 72 percent complete, edging closer to achieving its goal of generating up to 5,600 megawatts of power by 2020. This highlights the unwavering commitment to supporting our society and national economy with the most advanced infrastructure and sustainable energy, collectively contributing to Abu Dhabi’s influential presence in the international peaceful nuclear energy sector.