UAE supports clean energy advancements during nuclear conference

The UAE has stressed on its commitment in supporting international efforts to advance clean energy during the ministerial Roadmap to New Nuclear conference held at Paris on Wednesday.

The summit highlighted the role of nuclear energy in addressing global energy security challenges and driving economic development, building on the historic recommendations of COP28, hosted by the UAE, which emphasised scaling up clean energy projects, including nuclear, to achieve climate goals. Around 31 countries endorsed the call to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, who led the UAE delegation, underlined that the COP28 agreement represents a historic step that requires turning political commitments into practical projects, sustainable financing, and strong international partnerships.

He reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation, and its readiness to share expertise with other nations, enhancing nuclear energy’s role in addressing climate challenges, ensuring energy security, and driving sustainable economic growth.

He noted that the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the first peaceful nuclear programme in the Arab world to achieve full operation in line with the highest international standards, stands as a pioneering global model.

The UAE plant produces 40 terawatt hours annually—equivalent to meeting about a quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs with clean, reliable power around the clock—while reducing millions of tonnes of carbon emissions each year. 

Al Mazrouei stressed that financing remains the greatest challenge to nuclear expansion, calling for nuclear energy to be included in sustainable finance taxonomies and supported by international financial institutions.

The minister also added that the UAE is looking ahead by studying advanced nuclear technologies in support of the country’s climate neutrality journey.

Organised by the Government of the South Korea and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the conference brought together energy ministers from more than 30 countries, government representatives, and CEOs from 50 companies to discuss experiences, strategies, supply chain enhancement, workforce development and financing resources.

The conference is held at the HQ of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and will run until September 19.