The UAE is quickly developing! To maintain its rapid economic growth, the UAE needs electricity. A governmental led study in 2008 found that by 2020, the UAE’s energy demand will rise to more than 40,000 MegaWatts – a rate of 9% per year, which is three times the global average. The UAE was faced with an urgent need to develop additional sources of

energy.

Nuclear energy is one of the chosen energy option for the UAE because it is a safe, clean and proven technology, it’s commercially viable, and it delivers significant

volumes of base-load electricity. Nuclear energy will diversify the nation’s energy supply while ensuring UAE future energy security.

During the visit of IAEA Director General to the UAE, Mr Yukiya Amano reiterated the IAEA’s support of the country’s efforts to develop its peaceful nuclear power programme. By sharing knowledge and transferring expertise, the IAEA will continue to support the UAE’s ambitions

in nuclear energy and applications.

In 2 September 2015, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) commemorated the start of construction for the UAE’s fourth reactor at the Barakah nuclear power plant,

in Abu Dhabi. Senior Emirati and Korean Officials marked the event by visiting the construction site of Barakah NPP.

The UAE became model for countries embarking on a Nuclear Energy Programme. In less than 10 years, the UAE was able to make tremendous progress in the NPP

Programme in accordance with highest standards of safety and security.

Through a series of trainings and national workshops, the UAE works to familiarize stakeholders of the nuclear power programme with

the IAEA’s tools.

Developing the next generation of nuclear energy leaders is one of the UAE’s most important priorities. By 2020, ENEC will require a team of approximately

2,500 people to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the UAE’s first nuclear energy plant, with a target of 60 per cent Emiratization.

From engineers to operators to construction workers, the nuclear industry offers a diverse range of job opportunities. Through ENEC’s Human Capacity

Development program, UAE aims to attract and train the country’s most talented science and engineering graduates, and experienced professionals,

providing them with an opportunity to become pioneers of the emerging nuclear energy sector.

With more than 1,400 employees today, and a pipeline of talented Emirati students enrolled in the UAE Nuclear Energy Scholarships Program, ENEC is

building a diverse team which works in accordance with our corporate values of safety, integrity, transparency and efficiency.

Nuclear Energy Management (NEM) Schools support countries embarking on NPP programmes, ensuring the safe, responsible, and

sustainable use of nuclear energy by increasing awareness of management issues.

Experts from the IAEA’s Nuclear Knowledge Management Section, and international lecturers from Japan, the UK and the USA supported the 2015

Nuclear Energy Management school in the UAE, which was open to 46 national and international students.

NEM schools offer a broader understanding of the specific challenges of nuclear energy. Here, participants of the 2015 NEM school visit the

Simulator Training Center at the BNPP construction site.

In addition to nuclear power production, the UAE requested IAEA support in addressing other needs, and leveraging new opportunities. Through engagement with the IAEA technical cooperation programme, the country has sustainably expanded its infrastructure and human resources in material analysis, dosimetry, waste management, environmental monitoring, agriculture, water management and medical applications.

To meet domestic requests for material analysis, the UAE launched a TC project to establish its first national facility offering analytical services through Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) at the University of Sharjah. Here, His Highness Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasami inaugurates The Centre for Material Analysis.

The new Centre for Material Analysis supports a range of local forensic, industrial, and environmental needs. It also facilitates the study of archaeological objects and the preservation of cultural heritage.

The Centre for Material Analysis provides analysis for materials such as archaeological artifacts, environmental contaminants in air, water or soil,

forensic evidence, and new industrial materials.

The Centre for Material Analysis, hosted by University of Sharjah supports the study of air pollution, as well.

Through a Regional TC project, UAE stakeholders -including the National Center of Meteorology & Seismology (NCMS) -collaborated with the IAEA to perform a preliminary study of air pollutants for over more than six months. The study analyzed dust samples from 21 different locations across the UAE.

With capacity developed through IAEA national TC project, the Centre provided analysis for environmental contaminants in air.

In collaboration with IAEA, through several regional TC projects, the UAE helped transfer technology and knowledge of aerosol sampling and analysis to various end-users in the UAE and other ARASIA Member States, thereby building capacities throughout the region.

The establishment of UAE first Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) at the national level is crucial to meet calibration needs of users in industrial, medical, research and the nuclear power sector in the country.

With the fast progress of UAE NPP, the SSDL is an important milestone in providing traceability to recognized

measurement standards for ionizing radiation. Such traceability can add confidence on the protection of workers,

the public, patients and the environment.

IAEA supported the UAE SSDL though completion of the SSDL system and capacity building of the SSDL personnel.

Here, engineers discuss the progress of construction with H.E. Ambassador Alkaabi, project counterparts from FANR and KU, and the UAE Programme

Management Officer during her visit in September 2014.

IAEA and the UAE Permanent Mission staff visit the SSDL site, with engineers and officials from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and Khalifa

University.

The use of radiation in health care (diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy) is expanding rapidly in the UAE and in the context of its rapid economic and population growth, the UAE government aims to improve the quality of health care services provided to meet global standards.

Through both national and regional TC projects, the UAE was able to develop capacities in paediatric and adult dosimetry and radiation dose reduction. Here, UAE experts participate in a TC training course. The UAE had hosted a number of training courses and meetings supporting regional projects on human health.

An IAEA Regional Training Course on Nuclear Cardiology using SPECT/CT and PET/CT was hosted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in collaboration with

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoom Award for Medical Science.

The UAE also collaborates with ARASIA countries and the IAEA to address issues of seawater intrusion, and deterioration of groundwater quality. This cooperation also helps combat desertification by rehabilitating salt-affected

farms via innovative research on ‘alternate crop production systems’ for food, feed and fuel.

Water security and, more generally, water management are among UAE priorities.

A trainee performs measurements in the laboratory during a TC Fellowship on salinity measurements, hosted at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). ICBA provides training to candidates from ARASIA and

IAEA Member States in various fields related to biosaline agriculture.

In 2015, ICBA signed a ‘Practical Arrangement’ with IAEA, enhancing the collaboration and partnership between the two entities on soil, water, crop

and nutrition activities.

To meet future agricultural demand, ICBA has acquired all possible wild genetic resources of S. bigelovii globally—an under-utilized crop for biofuel that can be grown in saline, coastal soils. When screened for

genetic suitability, local farmers will be able to plant and harvest these plants, despite the UAE’s challenging environmental conditions.

Regional TC projects strengthen regional cooperation on groundwater hydrology. Further support is provided by procuring essential equipment.

Here, interns work on the Soil Information Systems (SIS) at ICBA, in the UAE.

Currently, all 4 nuclear power units at Barakah are under construction. Operation of unit 1 is estimated to begin in 2017. Since 2008, more than 10 UAE national TC

projects have provided direct support to various areas of the nuclear power programme.

UAE participated in more than 460 IAEA activities from 2011-2014; of them more than 170 dedicated to Safety and Security

Almost 2000 UAE participants in IAEA activities since August 2010

More than 70 activities hosted in the UAE from 2011-2014

More than 60 stakeholders involved with IAEA since 2010

Contributed more than 110 experts from the UAE to IAEA activities from 2011-2014

More than 30 fellowships and scientific visits from 2012-2014