The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has entered into a cooperative agreement with the French company Framatome to supply nuclear fuel bundles and engineering services for the Barakah nuclear power plants. This partnership aims to support the ongoing operational excellence of the facilities and enable them to continuously produce clean electricity, contributing to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
As part of the agreement, Framatome will deliver complete nuclear fuel bundles for use at the Barakah plants. With decades of experience in nuclear fuel manufacturing and innovation, Framatome is a strategic partner in enhancing the fuel supply chain’s resilience for ENEC, ensuring operational excellence and electric power generation continuity at Barakah.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, the Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, remarked that the partnership with Framatome reinforces the company’s strategy to enhance the security and reliability of the nuclear fuel supply chain. He highlighted that diversity is a crucial element in guaranteeing that Barakah continues to provide safe, clean, and reliable electricity, thereby bolstering sustainable economic growth in the UAE.
He praised Framatome’s extensive expertise and commitment to international standards, which add significant value to operations at Barakah. This collaboration further establishes the plants as a global model of operational excellence in clean electricity production. ENEC is dedicated to developing infrastructure and various capabilities at Barakah while continually striving for excellence in the nuclear energy sector through enhanced safety, security, cost-effectiveness, and innovative fuel solutions.
Gregoire Pichon, CEO of Framatome, expressed pride in providing advanced fuel to ENEC, which aids in ensuring supply security and aligns with the UAE’s goals in the clean energy sector. He emphasized that the agreement highlights the advanced technologies of Framatome and the reliability of its workforce in delivering exceptional services to partners.
The fuel bundles will be manufactured at Framatome’s facility in the United States, which is licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and has received top ratings for 18 consecutive years under the agency’s performance review program.
Framatome possesses over 40 years of experience in fuel solution manufacturing, including fuel for reactors like those at Barakah, having produced more than 6,000 fuel bundles of this type over the past four decades.
Barakah continues to be a global benchmark for new nuclear energy projects. ENEC has successfully operated the Barakah plants, featuring four APR-1400 reactors, within just eight years, while also exploring strategic opportunities that support the growth of the peaceful global nuclear sector, ensuring Barakah remains a fundamental pillar of the UAE’s energy mix.