Nuclear energy key to confronting climate change, Abu Dhabi forum hears

Nuclear energy will play a critical role in tackling climate change, experts at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum said.

Mohammed Al Hammadi, chief executive of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, at the forum. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // Nuclear energy demands relentless innovation, industry officials said at an Abu Dhabi conference on Thursday.

Speaking at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, they said nuclear energy will also play a critical role in tackling climate change.

“Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the early 19th century, the world’s population has grown seven times, with an increase of production and energy consumption by 100 times and 42 times, respectively,” said Dr Cho Hwan-eik, president and chief executive of the Korea Electric Power Corporation.

Korea Electric is the UAE’s prime contractor for its nuclear power plant in Barakah.

“This growth has led to an increase of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere by 40 per cent during that period. The average temperature has also increased by 0.85ºC, while the sea level has risen by 19 centimetres,” said Dr Cho.

The current level of climate change had already caused disasters in many areas of the world.

Nations cannot afford to make the mistake of underestimating nuclear energy’s place in beating climate change and proving for the sustainable development of civilisations, he said.

“We are now entering an era of so-called post-industrial revolution based on the ‘Internet of Things’, artificial intelligence, drones and robots.

“For the successful use of such technology, a very stable supply of electric power is essential and it is nuclear energy that enables that supply to respond to such demand.

“That is why its value should be reevaluated and equalised.”

Dr Cho said renewable energy is a solution but is not yet a stable source.

“Nuclear can play critical role. Our belief in peaceful nuclear energy and compliance with related regulation will lead to prosperity and growth of nations,” he said.

With the UAE preparing this year to bring into operation the first of four nuclear reactors, all of which will provide 25 per cent of the country’s electricity by 2020 and reduce carbon emissions by 14 million tonnes a year, a smart diversified energy portfolio will be needed.

“The 2050 vision of the UAE is a very long way to plan for such energy diversity,” said Mohammed Al Hammadi, chief executive of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.

“The main purpose of that vision is to create a diversified portfolio of energy. This means all energies are welcome as long as they can compete with the strategic angle.

“We have to think of innovation, scientific and human capital development and long-term when we embark on energy solutions because nuclear has run for 60 years.”

Globally, nuclear is considered a clean, reliable and safe source of energy. But constraints remain, including more public acceptance and increased innovation.

“We’re experiencing revolutionary times,” said Anne Lauvergeon, founder, chairman and chief executive of Alp, a French advisory and services company, who also worked at the French Atomic Energy Commission.

“If we want to have real development of nuclear energy for the future, it means first safety, public acceptance and innovation. The future is to have more modular reactors, built like aeroplanes in factories and installed afterwards on site.”