The authorities of the capital of the Emirates in this sector stress that the use of nuclear energy would reduce costs and produce hydrogen at a cheaper price

Abu Dhabi to seek to produce hydrogen through nuclear power

photo_camera AFP PHOTO/Barakah Nuclear Power Plant - Barakah Nuclear Power Plant

The United Arab Emirates, in line with laws and a commitment to eliminate carbon emissions within the country by 2050, is beginning to consider new ways and techniques to produce various energy resources. The nation has long been in the hydrogen market and Abu Dhabi authorities are considering the use of nuclear power for hydrogen production.

"High-temperature reactors can produce hydrogen more cheaply than current methods in the quest to eliminate carbon emissions," said Mohamed al-Hammadi, CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, in an interview with Bloomberg.

He says the UAE government is already working with his company on how to bring this project to reality. To this end, the situation is being evaluated, while at the same time working with highly innovative technology that would produce this hydrogen in a cheaper and more ecological way.

He also indicates and highlights the Emirates' commitment to the environment and to the signed environmental agreements imposed by global organisations. "Other countries, with a similar objective, should integrate nuclear energy, in combination with electric power, to achieve their emission elimination targets," says Al-Hammadi.

It should be noted that hydrogen is an energy source that comes from the extraction of various elements, as this resource does not exist in a natural form. These processes are very costly and energy-intensive. At the same time, most of them tend to be toxic to the atmosphere and large quantities of carbon and other waste are released during the process, which in the long run are quite harmful to the health of people and the planet. 

Los cuatro reactores de la planta nuclear de Barakah, Emiratos PHOTO/FANR

The use of natural gas to produce hydrogen is the most widely used process in the world. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 48% of the world's hydrogen production comes from natural gas, while 30% comes from oil. Nuclear power could provide a new way to generate hydrogen and moving away from fossil fuels would be a further step in the commitment to the planet.

The Abu Dhabi authorities therefore claim that the use of nuclear energy, which is much cleaner and less polluting than other processes, is a very promising and pioneering alternative, which would mean an energy transformation and the disuse of non-renewable fossil fuels. The country intends to use this product mainly for the transport and export sectors.

The United Arab Emirates is a leader in the region where the nation is located in the use of nuclear energy, and can even be considered one of the best in the world. Nuclear power provides a carbon-free source of electricity. Al-Hammadi notes that "the UAE began operating the first commercial nuclear reactor in the Arab world in 2020, and the electricity from that facility can be used to produce hydrogen".

Barakah is the first reactor of the first nuclear power plant within an Arab country and is part of a government plan to build three more civilian reactors to be commissioned between 2020 and 2023. The first is capable of producing a total capacity of 5,600 megawatts. The second reactor is already being prepared to start operation this year. The reactor will have a capacity of 1.4 gigawatts, although it will be fully operational by 2025 and will be capable of supplying 25% of the country with electricity.

The UAE has been investing in this energy for years and Al-Hammadi recalls that this decision was "very wise on the part of the state". He adds that the nation has also been enriched by the energy crisis in Europe and the rising price of natural gas. "Our investment today in nuclear is paying off. We have seen gas prices in Europe and we are able to produce 1,400 megawatts of electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All thanks to a reliable, safe and clean source of electricity," says the director.

More in New technologies-innovation