In a region recently associated with rogue and reckless nuclear programmes, the announcement that the UAE’s first nuclear power plant will be operational in May is a rare demonstration of transparency. Not only will this power plant help the country reach its low energy emissions targets through the creation of clean and reliable power but also the plant will operate according to leading regulatory standards. The UAE is demonstrating to the world the role and necessity of transparency in nuclear power.
During the plant’s initial phase, which is focused on testing and operating that plant in a limited capacity, representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be on hand to see how that nuclear material is being used for peaceful purposes. According to the UAE ambassador to the IAEA, Hamad Alkaabi, there will be international “safeguards teams to ensure all surveillance and control measures are in place and in line with IAEA requirements”.
As Iran and North Korea continue to antagonise the international community with their clandestine nuclear programmes, the UAE is demonstrating how a small country can harness the power of nuclear energy for good. Once the power plant is online, the IAEA will be able to point to the UAE as the model for how nuclear power should be handled.
In a country rich in hydrocarbons, the introduction of a new nuclear plant sends another critical message. The leadership has set ambitious targets to lower the UAE’s carbon footprint and realise goals of operating a clean energy infrastructure. Coupled with carbon neutral projects such as Masdar, nuclear power is a proven source of environmentally friendly energy.
Leading by example, especially when it comes to such a delicate issue as nuclear power, is a sure-fire method of creating a safe and more prosperous region. We are committed to our principles of safe and secure nuclear energy as well as a lower carbon footprint. It is now time for our neighbours to follow suit and help us create a better tomorrow.
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
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