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ENEC CEO Announces US $1.7 Billion in Contracts to Emirati Companies Participating in UAE Nuclear Energy Program
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, has discussed the role of the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program in enabling business opportunities for UAE companies at the Abu Dhabi Quality Forum today.
Speaking as part of a panel discussion entitled “Quality Through Innovation and Leadership”, Mr Al Hammadi explained how ENEC has helped UAE companies to raise their quality standards to nuclear quality standards, allowing Emirati companies the opportunity to contribute to its program and gain a unique competitive advantage to provide nuclear-quality services and materials to the world.
“We now have more than 1000 UAE companies involved in our program, having successfully secured contracts totaling more than US $1.7 billion for a range of products and services to support the construction of the UAE’s first nuclear energy plants. Through this, we have directly contributed to the development of the local economy and helped to facilitate the growth of industry here in Abu Dhabi,” commented Al Hammadi at the forum.
During the discussion, Al Hammadi explained how quality standards in the nuclear sector are intrinsically linked to safety, security, transparency and overall operational efficiency; and how these stringent Quality Assurance standards are now enhancing quality and safety standards across UAE.
“One of our most important objectives in establishing a nuclear energy program in the UAE was to support the growth of the UAE’s economy, and specifically to support the development of a local nuclear energy industry supply chain.”
Contracts with local companies have been awarded over the past two years through joint collaboration between the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the entity responsible for the construction and operation of the UAE’s four nuclear energy plants, and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), ENEC’s Prime Contractor. The companies include DESCON Engineering, Bin Asheer, National Marine Dredging Company, the Western Bainoona Group, Emirates Steel and Ducab.
According to the Al Gharbia Investment Road Map, which was established by the Western Region Development Council, the emerging nuclear energy sector will ultimately contribute AED 62 billion in capital to the Western Region alone.
In addition to the direct economic benefits the UAE’s nuclear energy industry is delivering, it is also having a positive impact on the quality and safety standards of other industries across the country.
The nuclear energy industry has some of the most stringent quality assurance and safety standards in the world. UAE companies must meet these strict quality standards in order to tender for any contract related to the UAE nuclear energy program. ENEC set up a dedicated Industrial Development Team to help local companies develop and implement these standards.
“Many more opportunities lie ahead for UAE companies that are committed to instilling nuclear quality standards across their organization. Ours is a long term driven partnership and involves many different industrial sectors: from construction, to operations and maintenance,” added Al Hammadi.
“Many of our suppliers of non-nuclear grade materials are also suppliers to other industries. In order to contract for our program, we have worked with companies in the UAE to enhance their quality and safety policies and procedures to meet some of the highest standards in the world. This has clear benefits for companies across the UAE and will lead to improved quality and safety outcomes.”
ENEC also works with local companies to upgrade their systems to become ASME Nuclear Component certified companies, a key certification required to become nuclear-approved providers to the UAE peaceful nuclear energy program.
“We are proud to be working with so many UAE companies who have outlined their commitment to meeting the highest standards of safety and quality to help us deliver a world-class nuclear energy program to the UAE.”
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