Clean Energy in Focus as UAE Joins OECD Nuclear Talks

Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, led the country’s delegation to the Roadmap to New Nuclear 2025 ministerial conference, held at the OECD headquarters in Paris on 18–19 September. Co-hosted by the Republic of Korea and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the event brought together ministers from more than 30 countries alongside government officials and CEOs from 50 companies.

The gathering served as a platform to advance strategies for expanding nuclear power, strengthening supply chains, building skilled workforces, and addressing financing challenges. Discussions built on the momentum from COP28 in Dubai, where 31 countries endorsed the goal of tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050.

In his address, Al Mazrouei stressed that the UAE’s participation reflects its commitment to global clean energy efforts. He highlighted the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant as a regional model, producing 40 terawatt-hours annually—enough to meet about a quarter of the nation’s electricity demand while avoiding millions of tonnes of carbon emissions. He also noted ongoing studies into advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, to support hydrogen production and power energy-intensive industries.

The minister underscored that financing remains the biggest hurdle to nuclear growth and called for nuclear energy’s inclusion in sustainable finance frameworks. On the sidelines, he met IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, accompanied by senior UAE officials, to discuss further collaboration.