Latest news with #nuclear energy
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
The overlooked AI aspect of the US-Bahrain nuclear co-operation deal
The artificial intelligence boom was the primary driver of a recently signed nuclear energy agreement between Bahrain and the US, according to a Middle East technology expert. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani signed on Wednesday a civil nuclear co-operation agreement − and a major part of the deal involves a commitment to the development of small modular reactors. 'This deal positions Bahrain to become an emerging AI power, leveraging SMR inroads and its legacy as one of the Gulf's earliest technology pioneers,' said Mohammed Soliman, director of the strategic technology programme at the Washington-based Middle East Institute think tank. Over the past decade, as the AI boom has placed strain on energy grids, enthusiasm for SMRs − compact and versatile reactors that can be built and put on line at a quicker pace than conventional nuclear reactors − has increased significantly. Mr Soliman said that while most media coverage of the nuclear co-operation agreement framed it in the context of energy diversification, the bigger story was broader technological and industrial pivot throughout the Arabian Gulf. 'Energy is about enabling sovereign AI systems and digital exports,' he said. 'That shift from oil to AI is what gives this announcement its strategic weight.' While there has been a significant surge in SMR research and commitments from various entities in the public and private sectors around the world, most are still in the lengthy regulatory review and licensing stage. However, Mr Soliman said that SMRs are finally ready to come to fruition, and could have significant presence throughout the Middle East. 'The technology has matured considerably, especially with new reactor designs and private-sector players accelerating deployment,' he said. Governments throughout the Middle East, he added, have an appetite for placing long-term infrastructure bets and have centralised planning that make the region 'one of the most likely where SMRs can reach meaningful scale'. The infrastructure of the data centres that power AI takes more energy than conventional computing. Most estimates show that a query to ChatGPT uses 10 times more energy than a similar search on Google. In the US, the need to plug the energy gap created by AI has spurred renewed interest and public support for nuclear reactors. That pattern of nuclear enthusiasm has been echoed in many parts of the world, including the Middle East, where several countries are hoping to play a major role in AI development. 'This Nuclear Co-operation Memorandum of Understanding represents an important step towards deepening a robust civil nuclear partnership between the US and Bahrain,' said Ann Ganzer, US deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation. She added that the agreement builds on both countries' collaboration through something called First – the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology. Mr Al Zayani echoed those sentiments, saying that the country looks forward to the learning from the US's 'world-leading technology and expertise in this field'. 'There is no doubt that co-operation on nuclear technology will be a vital contributor to our shared responsibility and prosperity in the years ahead,' he added.
Emirates 24/7
3 days ago
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
ENEC, Framatome sign nuclear fuel supply agreement for Barakah Plant
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Framatome have signed a fuel supply agreement for the supply of nuclear fuel assemblies and engineering services for the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE. The agreement is a key step in ENEC's long-term strategy to diversify its fuel supply chain, enhancing energy security by ensuring an uninterrupted supply of 24/7 carbon-free power from the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to businesses, industries and homes across the UAE. Under the agreement, Framatome will supply complete nuclear fuel assemblies for use at the Barakah Plant. Framatome brings decades of experience in nuclear fuel manufacturing and innovation, making it a strategic partner to further strengthen the resilience and flexibility of ENEC's fuel supply chain and ensure the plant's continued excellence in nuclear power generation. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, said, 'Our agreement with Framatome advances our strategy to strengthen the security and reliability of our nuclear fuel supply chain. Diversification is key to ensuring that we continue to deliver safe, clean, and reliable electricity—powering the sustainable growth of the UAE's economy. 'Framatome's expertise and commitment to international standards add depth to our operations and reinforce Barakah as a global model for operational excellence in clean energy generation.' He affirmed their commitment to advancing Barakah's infrastructure and capabilities, continually striving for excellence in the nuclear power industry. ENEC continues to build on its existing operations through enhanced security, competitive costs, and innovative fuel solutions. 'We are proud to provide our advanced fuel to ENEC, ensuring security of the supply and meeting the UAE's clean energy goals,' said Grégoire Ponchon, CEO at Framatome. 'The contract recognises our state-of-the-art technologies and the reliability of our workforce to provide exceptional services to our customers.' The fuel assemblies will be fabricated at Framatome's fabrication facility in the US, which is licenced by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and has received the highest rating from the NRC under its Licensee Performance Review (LPR) for 18 consecutive years. Framatome has over 40 years of extensive experience fabricating fuel for Combustion Engineering design reactors like Barakah and has supplied more than 6,000 fuel assemblies of that type. Barakah remains the region's first multi-unit nuclear energy plant and a global benchmark for successful nuclear new-build programmes. ENEC has delivered the Barakah Plant—comprising four APR-1400 reactors, which are now the region's largest source of clean electricity—in just eight years. Today, ENEC continues to explore strategic opportunities that support the growth of the global civil nuclear sector, while ensuring the plant remains a cornerstone of the UAE's energy mix.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
ENEC, Framatome sign nuclear fuel supply agreement for Barakah Plant
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Framatome have signed a fuel supply agreement for the supply of nuclear fuel assemblies and engineering services for the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE. The agreement is a key step in ENEC's long-term strategy to diversify its fuel supply chain, enhancing energy security by ensuring an uninterrupted supply of 24/7 carbon-free power from the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to businesses, industries and homes across the UAE. Under the agreement, Framatome will supply complete nuclear fuel assemblies for use at the Barakah Plant. Framatome brings decades of experience in nuclear fuel manufacturing and innovation, making it a strategic partner to further strengthen the resilience and flexibility of ENEC's fuel supply chain and ensure the plant's continued excellence in nuclear power generation. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, said, 'Our agreement with Framatome advances our strategy to strengthen the security and reliability of our nuclear fuel supply chain. Diversification is key to ensuring that we continue to deliver safe, clean, and reliable electricity—powering the sustainable growth of the UAE's economy. 'Framatome's expertise and commitment to international standards add depth to our operations and reinforce Barakah as a global model for operational excellence in clean energy generation.' He affirmed their commitment to advancing Barakah's infrastructure and capabilities, continually striving for excellence in the nuclear power industry. ENEC continues to build on its existing operations through enhanced security, competitive costs, and innovative fuel solutions. 'We are proud to provide our advanced fuel to ENEC, ensuring security of the supply and meeting the UAE's clean energy goals,' said Grégoire Ponchon, CEO at Framatome. 'The contract recognises our state-of-the-art technologies and the reliability of our workforce to provide exceptional services to our customers.' The fuel assemblies will be fabricated at Framatome's fabrication facility in the US, which is licenced by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and has received the highest rating from the NRC under its Licensee Performance Review (LPR) for 18 consecutive years. Framatome has over 40 years of extensive experience fabricating fuel for Combustion Engineering design reactors like Barakah and has supplied more than 6,000 fuel assemblies of that type. Barakah remains the region's first multi-unit nuclear energy plant and a global benchmark for successful nuclear new-build programmes. ENEC has delivered the Barakah Plant—comprising four APR-1400 reactors, which are now the region's largest source of clean electricity—in just eight years. Today, ENEC continues to explore strategic opportunities that support the growth of the global civil nuclear sector, while ensuring the plant remains a cornerstone of the UAE's energy mix.
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
US reaches civil nuclear cooperation accord with Bahrain
The United States and Bahrain signed a civilian nuclear energy accord Wednesday as US President Donald Trump met with the Gulf nation's crown prince. At a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the accord showed the United States is willing to work with any country that wants a civil nuclear energy program 'not geared toward weaponization or threatening the security of their neighbors.' He was alluding to Iran, which the United States and Israel accuse of trying to develop nuclear weapons. The United States bombed Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22 as it joined Israel's 12-day conflict with its arch foe. Bahrain is a close ally of the United States and serves as the base for the US Navy's 5th Fleet. Trump met later Wednesday in the Oval office with Crown Prince Salman Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa to discuss Mideast security issues and economic cooperation. 'We've had a tremendous relationship, I have personally, with Bahrain over the years, and it has been a fantastic ally,' Trump told reporters as he sat with the Bahraini delegation before their talks. Bahrain is also a signatory of the so-called Abraham Accords, signed during Trump's first term in the White House. Under these agreements Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Sudan established formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
