ABU DHABI, 30th August, 2023 (WAM) — The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) hosted a recognition ceremony at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant for top performing students from the 11th and 12th grades in the Al Dhafra region.
The event reflects ENEC’s commitment to building a pipeline of skilled UAE Nationals to join the UAE’s fast growing nuclear energy sector, accelerating decarbonisation of the nation’s power sector on the path to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.
Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, in his welcome speech at the ceremony provided students with practical advice to support them in their future careers. The ceremony included an educational tour as part of ENEC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and student outreach programmes, which gave students the opportunity to visit the Barakah Plant, the largest single-site source of clean electricity in the region.
Al Hammadi said, “We are pleased to welcome high-performing students to the Barakah Plant as we ensure youth continue to have a role in the UAE’s rapid clean energy transition. We are committed to Emiratisation as showcased by our Emirati-led teams operating and maintaining the Barakah Plant.
Our outreach programme has inspired and trained young Emirati talents, key to growing the Net Zero economy. The best and brightest science, technology, engineering and mathematics students have witnessed first-hand the diverse opportunities to become part of one of the most important industries for clean electricity generation.”
The Barakah Plant will continue to provide highly specialised jobs over its operating lifespan of at least 60 years, enabling thousands of UAE Nationals to develop long-term careers in the industry. As ENEC now looks to pursue opportunities in advanced technologies and clean molecule generation, further opportunities will become available to young UAE Nationals with the right skills and expertise to drive innovation and R&D in the clean energy sector.
A powerhouse for the nation’s development, energy security and stability, the Plant also stimulates growth of local industries through thousands of contracts. Playing a significant role in the UAE’s clean energy transition, the Barakah Plant is now one unit away from full-fleet operations and realising ENEC’s commitment to generating up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity demand.
The first multi-unit operating Plant in the Arab World, Barakah already generates more than 80 percent of Abu Dhabi Emirate’s clean electricity. When fully operational, the Plant will prevent millions of tons of carbon emissions – the leading cause of climate change – every year.