Nuclear energy forums to be held for UAE public

The public will have the opportunity to learn more about the nation’s nuclear energy programme and hear about the latest developments at Barakah.

ABU DHABI // The public will get the chance to learn more about the UAE’s ambitious nuclear energy programme at two open forums this week.

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) will host the events, which will also outline the latest developments at Barakah, in the Western Region, where the first nuclear plants are being built.

When they become operational, the UAE will become the first Arab nation to harness nuclear power for peaceful means on a commercial scale.

The forums will be attended by Enec’s chief executive, Mohammed Al Hammadi, and a number of senior executives from Abu Dhabi Government.

Experienced nuclear engineers from Enec will present an overview of how nuclear energy works, providing insight and answering questions about a wide range of topics including uranium, radiation, the efficiency of nuclear energy, safety and nuclear energy’s impact on the environment.

Attendees will also gain further understanding of the career and scholarship opportunities for Emiratis in the nuclear energy industry.

“Our public forums have proven their success over the years in raising awareness about the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme,” Mr Al Hammadi said.

“As the programme moves ahead on schedule, we remain committed to working closely with the community across the UAE to ensure they understand the role of nuclear energy in the UAE’s energy portfolio, its importance in achieving energy security and sustainability and how nuclear energy is helping our nation achieve its sustainability targets.”

The Enec forums, to be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Ras Al Khaimah’s Hilton resort, will be in Arabic, with the Abu Dhabi forum including translation to English.

The forums encourage exploration of nuclear energy ideas through on-site demonstrations and “touch and feel” displays, including model nuclear energy plants, fuel assemblies, uranium rocks, Geiger counters and nuclear fuel pellets.

Since Enec was established in 2009, the company has held more than eight public forums across the UAE, which have been attended by more than 4,000 people.

For more information on the forums visit www.enec.gov.ae