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Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse, and PLN Nusantara Power (PLN NP), have signed an agreement to develop Phase II of the successful Cirata floating photovoltaic (FPV) power plant in Indonesia by up to 500MW, in a major expansion to Southeast Asia’s largest FPV plant.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, Indonesia’s Minister of Defense, HE Prabowo Subianto, and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, HE Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Also in attendance were the UAE Ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN and Timor Leste, HE Abdulla Al Dhaheri, and Indonesia’s Ambassador to the UAE, HE Husin Bagis. The ceremony was held at the UAE-Indonesia Economic Forum hosted by the UAE Embassy of Indonesia to deepen the clean energy partnership between the two nations.

The initial 145MW phase of the innovative floating PV project, located in the picturesque Cirata reservoir in West Java, Indonesia, is expected to come online later this year. A recent regulatory development from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Indonesia now allows up to 20% of water coverage for renewable energy uses which will open up the Cirata expansion to a further 500MW, in addition to the 145MW expected to be operational this year.

HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “The UAE and Indonesia share a common vision of achieving sustainable development and realize that renewables are at the heart of this vision. I am pleased to see that this partnership has been taken to the next level. Such partnerships feed into our priorities for COP28, where the energy transition will be front and center with a concerted push to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.”

The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN, HE Abdulla Salem Obaid Salem Al Dhaheri, commented: “As we host the UAE-Indonesia Economic Forum, it is a pleasure to witness Indonesia and the UAE demonstrating to the world our collective leadership in climate action, showcasing innovation that benefits both the environment and the economy in supporting the global energy transition.”

Indonesia is a key strategic market in Southeast Asia for Masdar with an expanding portfolio of interests. Masdar developed the region’s largest floating solar facility, the 145 MW Cirata floating solar PV plant (Cirata Phase I) in a joint venture with PT PJB, now PLN NP. In February 2023, Masdar entered the geothermal energy sector through a strategic investment in Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE). Masdar also opened an office in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2021 to further strengthen links with key players within the region.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Masdar, the UAE and Indonesia are pushing the boundaries of innovation with the Cirata floating solar photovoltaic project, already the largest in the region at 145MW – and set to grow by an impressive additional 500MW as part of Phase II. Within the key strategic markets of Southeast Asia and Indonesia, Masdar is building on our productive partnership with PLN group to grow renewable energy capacity and support Indonesia’s ambitious net-zero objectives ahead of COP28 and beyond.”

Indonesia has plans to increase its renewable energy mix and has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2060 or sooner. The Southeast Asian nation has committed to a 29% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, or a 41% reduction with international support. Ahead of COP28 to be hosted in the UAE later this year, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expansion agreement demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to supporting countries around the world with their decarbonization plans for a cleaner, greener future.

Scaling up renewables could save Indonesia, the largest energy user in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, as much as US$ 51.7 billion per year when the impacts on air pollution and climate change are included, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). 

President Director of PLN NP, Ruly Firmansyah, said: “We’re delighted to be growing our renewable energy portfolio for Indonesia as we extend our successful partnership with Masdar. The Cirata floating solar photovoltaic power plant is already a regional leader in size and innovation. With this next phase of development, we can further expand what is already the largest floating solar PV platform in Southeast Asia at 145MW which PLN NP and Masdar will be bringing into operation this year.”

Established in 2006, Masdar is active in more than 40 countries with a total combined electricity generation capacity of more than 20GW. It has invested, or committed to invest, in worldwide projects with a combined value of more than US$30 billion with ambitious growth plans to reach 100GW and 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.

Muna Al Nahdi, Head of Sustainability & Consultancy at leading UAE-based, smart and green Facilities Management (FM) company Farnek, has been appointed as a board member of the official Local Network of the UN Global Compact in the UAE.

“We are delighted to welcome Muna as a member of our board and we are looking forward to her involvement and insightful contribution, as we navigate the way forward to a more sustainable future,” commented Joëlle Jammal, Executive Director, Global Compact Network UAE.

As a new board member, Al Nahdi will act as an ambassador for the UAE Local Network of the UN Global Compact and her key responsibilities include, supporting strategic objectives, organisational risk management, recruitment and growth of the network, contributing to its strategic objectives.

Al Nahdi said: “Together with my fellow board members, I am eager to engage with our participants at all levels, to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and support the ten principles of the UN Global Compact.”

New board members are elected by the General Assembly, which constitutes the 200+ participating companies of the UAE network, to represent them through until the end of the board’s tenure. Headed by Chairman Eng. Waleed Salman, who is EVP, Business Development & Excellence, DEWA, the UAE board is comprised of members from a cross-section of the UAE’s business community.  

The GCN-UAE is one of 69 Local Networks around the world that operates through a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UNGC HQ. Each network is self-managed and follows the UN Global Compact mandate, while localising it in the UAE.

Hosted by the World Green Economy Organization and established in 2015, the GCN-UAE works closely with the UNGC HQ to provide opportunities for learning, policy dialogue, and partnerships on the Ten Principles of responsible conduct and the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UNGC’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are all-encompassing frameworks designed to achieve a future with social justice at its core, which helps to create dynamic partnerships specifically within the business community to mobilise the required resources and investments, vital to realising the aspirations of the organisation.

The GCN-UAE supports businesses to align their strategies and operations with the Ten Principles and the SDGs. And by ensuring sustained actions on the ground, the GCN-UAE aims to widen the role and the scope of the private sector’s participation, by urging more active incorporation of environmental, social and governance factors into contemporary business processes.

In a strategic move designed to reinforce its commitment to rigorous sanctions systems testing, Al Fardan Exchange, the leading money transfer and currency exchange firm, licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has partnered with AML Analytics, the global leader in the testing and validation of sanction screening and transaction monitoring systems.

The partnership signifies a notable milestone in Al Fardan Exchange’s commitment to ensuring that sanctions systems are functioning as intended, thereby elevating anti-financial crime standards in the market. Al Fardan Exchange seeks to fortify its already robust ethical and sustainable business practices, by implementing comprehensive compliance measures for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT).

Al Fardan Exchange’s adoption of AML Analytics testing is a critical step towards ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of their sanction and PEP screening systems. AML Analytics Regulatory Technology (RegTech) solutions enhance the screening and monitoring systems, which will assist Al Fardan Exchange in complying with regulatory requirements. 

This will help to minimise the risk of financial crime, Targeted Financial Sanctions and ensure that strong detection systems are in place.

“Through this strategic alliance, Al Fardan Exchange is set to invest substantially in state-of-the-art technology and expertise, elevating its operations and services to unprecedented levels of excellence.” Hasan Fardan Al Fardan, CEO of Al Fardan Exchange, stated: “Our partnership with AML Analytics marks a significant milestone in reaffirming our unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of compliance both regionally and globally.”

“AML Analytics are delighted to have been asked to partner with Al Fardan Exchange to assist with their continued proactive approach to their AML/CFT work. I’m thoroughly looking forward to working closely with Hasan Fardan Al Fardan and his team to help them further the development of their vision and future goals,” said Tim Holder, Managing Director Middle East and Africa, AML Analytics.

AML Analytics collaborates with regulators, supervisors, and central banks globally, delivering technical expertise and advanced Supervisory Technology (SupTech) to test and validate regulated entities’ AML/CFT systems as part of Thematic Reviews. AML Analytics has worked with over 40 regulatory authorities across the globe.

Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car company, has announced that it has reached the production milestone of 150,000 for the Polestar 2 electric performance fastback, in a testament to the company’s continued growth globally. Polestar 2 was the brand’s first volume car, which went into production in 2020.

Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company, Polestar’s sole dealer representative in the UAE, has enjoyed immense interest in Polestar 2 since its launch in Q1 of 2022.

Hasan Nergiz, Managing Director for Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company, comments: “Polestar 2 continues to drive sales for the brand in the UAE, with strong anticipation generated for future models to come, thus demonstrating the UAE’s readiness for sustainable mobility in a progressive performance EV.”

Interest in the Polestar brand was further boosted by an exclusive showcase of the Polestar 6 electric performance roadster concept at the Emirates Towers, Dubai, in February 2023. In addition, a presentation of the future EV portfolio of Polestar, which includes the Polestar 3, Polestar 4, Polestar 5 and Polestar 6, was hosted at ADGM in Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Island in May 2023.

UAE sales of the Polestar 2 have been supported by the state-of-the-art Polestar Space at the Mall of the Emirates, which can accommodate up to three Polestar EVs at a time, in addition to a configuration studio for customers to create their perfect Polestar, as well as two private consultation rooms for one-to-one interactions with Polestar Specialists.

The Polestar 2 model range includes three variants with a combination of long- and standard-range batteries as large as 78 kWh, and dual- and single-motor powertrains with as much as 300 kW / 408 hp and 660 Nm.

Global software and engineering leader Emerson will exhibit its range of automation technologies, approaches and solutions that enable companies to achieve operational excellence while contributing to a sustainable future at the 2023 ADIPEC energy conference. In alignment with the event’s theme ‘Decarbonizing. Faster. Together.’, the company will showcase its host of automation technologies and software that can help the energy sector achieve net-zero carbon emissions and a sustainable future.

Visitors to the Emerson booth (#14330) can explore solutions designed to enhance safety and reliability, improve production and throughput, optimize energy consumption, and reduce emissions. Emerson will also feature technologies that can help accelerate new energy industries like hydrogen, EV batteries, biofuels and carbon capture. Throughout the event, the company will host executive engagements and visioning sessions at its booth, offering attendees the opportunity to gain insights into the future of the energy industry and sustainable operations.

“We are excited to participate in ADIPEC 2023 and showcase our latest technologies and solutions for the energy industry. Our presence at ADIPEC underscores our dedication to empowering the region and the world with transformative technologies that drive sustainability, safety and efficiency,” said Mathias Schinzel, president of Middle East and Africa for Emerson.

“We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions, forging partnerships and showcasing how our solutions are at the forefront of shaping a more sustainable energy future,” added Schinzel.

The company will also participate in a number of ADIPEC technical conferences and workshops. Widad Haddad, vice president and general manager of UAE, Oman, Yemen and Lebanon at Emerson is a committee member of ADIPEC’s Downstream Technical Conference and will chair a session on best practices to maintain operational excellence and improve maintenance and HSE performance. Additionally, Ganesh Pattabhiraman, vice president of digital transformation at Emerson, will co-chair a session on smart sustainable manufacturing.

The 2023 ADIPEC energy conference is October 2-5 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation and a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), today announced the inaugural Middle East and North Africa Electric Vehicle Show (MENA EV Show 2023), in collaboration with INOEX Global Events.

Convening industry thought leaders, experts, policymakers, and innovators under the theme ‘Leading the EV Revolution in the Middle East and North Africa’, the event is scheduled on September 27 and 28, at the Radisson RED in DSO’s Dubai Digital Park.

The MENA EV Show aims to provide a dynamic platform for shaping the future of mobility in the region by connecting all stakeholders in the global EV value chain, from early-stage companies to investors to governments and established automakers.

Commenting on the event, Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Director General of DSO, said: “The UAE and the broader MENA region are swiftly intensifying their endeavors to transition towards clean and sustainable technologies, such as EVs, which offer a fuel-efficient alternative. This event serves as a platform to spotlight the substantial progress and evolution of the electric mobility landscape within the MENA region, providing a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of mobility in both the UAE and the wider MENA region”.

He added: “As the UAE embarks on the Year of Sustainability and prepares to host COP 28, our decision to host this event underscores our unwavering dedication to promoting the adoption of EVs in the UAE. It also aligns with our commitment to contributing to the UAE’s ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.”

Over two days, the conference will explore pivotal subjects that are influencing the future of mobility in the UAE and the wider MENA region. These encompass governance and policies related to EVs, strategies for the advancement of sustainable infrastructure development for EVs, the socio-economic significance of EV adoption, harnessing EVs for enhanced energy independence and economic diversification, as well as the digital transformation within the e-mobility industry.

The event will feature an array of engaging sessions, including panel discussions, Q&As, investment opportunities, and pitch programs. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to hear from an impressive lineup of speakers at the forefront of the EV industry, including representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, DEWA, Red Sea Global, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Bridgestone Middle East and Africa, Volvo Group, and Al Masaood.

While the exhibition component of the MENA EV Show 2023 will witness participation from key players in the EV industry, Dubai Police, Tesla, Al Futtaim Automotive, Talabat, among other exhibitors will showcase their EV vehicles, latest advancements in electric cars, light vehicles, trucks, and vans, in addition to innovations in electric charging infrastructure, vehicle charging stations, and EV battery systems.

The MENA EV Show 2023 will also offer world-class networking and business development opportunities, as well as a rich learning experience. It will connect policymakers, investors, media representatives, business leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world with key industry stakeholders. The event is sponsored by Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility, Al Masaood Power Division, Bridgestone, SunGrow Middle East, Electra EV, MP Warranties, and XYZ Engineering & Consultancy, and RAILBUS.

The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) announced the launch of the Happiness Council which aims to prioritise employee happiness and wellbeing, and enhance their sense of pride and belonging in line with the national goals of promoting the happiness of all members of the society. The Council has been launched under the theme, “Creating Happiness, Cultivating Unity”, and has 11 employees from MBRSG.

The Council has set several strategic goals to be implemented within a year, such as promoting positivity and happiness in the workplace, enhancing a culture of happiness and wellbeing, increasing employee productivity, strengthening employee engagement and communication, and reinforcing their loyalty and job commitment.

The Happiness Council was launched at an event organised by MBRSG at its headquarters, attended by HE Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of the MBRSG; Dr. Hazza Al Nuaimi, General Coordinator of the Dubai Government Excellence Program; and MBRSG employees.

HE Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of the MBRSG, said: “We launched the Happiness Council in line with the UAE’s national strategies and goals towards promoting the happiness of all individuals and enhancing their wellbeing. This will enable our employees to work in a positive environment that improves productivity, and instills a sense of belonging and appreciation. Based on its specialization in teaching management strategies through innovative ways, the MBRSG is fully aware of the importance of supporting human resources, encouraging them to innovate and create, empowering them with new tools, and introducing them to new methodologies.”

HE Dr. Hazza Khalfan Al Nuaimi, General Coordinator of the Dubai Government Excellence Program, said: “The Dubai Government Excellence Program studies the happiness of Dubai Government employees, which aims primarily to motivate government entities to ensure their wellbeing through an employee opinion survey. The results of all entities are announced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in January every year.”

Al Nuaimi also spoke about the role of the Dubai Government Excellence Program in developing and growing human capital to drive governmental leadership and Dubai’s global standing. He provided a detailed explanation of the tools used by the program to achieve human capital leadership in the Dubai government.

The Dubai Government Excellence Program has a key category called Human Capital and Emiratisation to determine the requirements in the field of professional talent management, future jobs, and Emiratisation. As a global knowledge & innovation Hub, the program offers a number of training and knowledge activities aimed at empowering and building the capabilities of Dubai Government employees in the areas of excellence and innovation.

He also mentioned the Dubai Excellence Medals, which provide standards for excellence of employees in various fields and is a strong incentive to encourage them to develop their capabilities to win one of the medals and to be honoured by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the awards ceremony.

Mohammed Hasan Al Khatib, Senior Director of the Corporate Support Services Department and Chairman of the Happiness Council at the MBRSG, said the Council has developed a charter to organise its work, in addition to an integrated strategy and clear goals to achieve happiness in the MBRSG’s work environment, and will implement various initiatives and projects based on four pillars: community engagement, health and wellness, employee welfare, and lastly outreach and communication. 

These would strengthen relations and learn about best practices between the Happiness Council at the MBRSG and similar initiatives in various government entities.

Al Khatib said the Council will organise two major initiatives this year: the MBRSG Happiness Box , and the MBRSG Happiness Ambassador. The Happiness Box will be a monthly reward system, whereas the Happiness Ambassador will be selected on a quarterly basis based on criteria related to positive behaviour, communication, participation in work teams, the ability to adapt and contribute to solving problems and challenges. 

Al Khatib also stressed that building a happiness system in institutions is a shared responsibility between the institution and its employees to ensure the achievement of its goals and sustainability. 

Under the banner of Dubai 3D Printing Strategy 2030 and Dubai Municipality, 3D construction printing company AC3D has launched its operations in the UAE.

The announcement was made during the premier of the Middle East Reverse Engineering & Additive Manufacturing Conference & Showcase – ReAM 2023, which is being held at Festival Arena in Dubai from September 25 to 27, 2023.

Focusing on low-rise housing, commercial real estate and infrastructure, AC3D says it is setting the stage for a greener era of construction, pledging to make it up to 1.5 times more cost-effective, and far less labour-intensive. The company aims to accelerate the construction processes, achieving up to four times increase in speed while using sustainable printing materials.

The 3D construction printing market is expected to reach $2.5 billion in 2025, up from $500 million in 2023. Dubai 3D Printing Strategy 2030 sets a goal of achieving a 25% implementation of 3D-printed buildings across the Emirates by the year 2030.

Reflecting on the launch, Boris Kozlov, Founder & CEO of AC3D, said: “Our mission to shape a more sustainable future for the construction sector starts in Dubai. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing waste, our vertically integrated technology paves the way for energy-efficient homes, enabling the creation of free-form architectural designs, reducing the amount of construction waste, and ensuring resistance to natural disasters.”

Assembled in the UAE, the next-generation 3D printers offer various environmental benefits in line with global sustainability efforts such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The construction industry is currently the world’s number one waste producer, and also one of the key contributors to the global carbon footprint. Cement production alone accounts for 10% of CO2 emissions.

In addition to sustainability, the economic and humanitarian implications of 3D construction printing are substantial. A single 3D printer has the potential to build more than 50 houses per year—a significant step towards addressing the global housing shortage projected to affect 1.6 billion people by 2025, as reported by the World Bank. Today, an annual deficit of 12 million homes is compounded by a significant shortfall of 10 million construction workers, underscoring the pressing challenges in the housing and construction sectors.

In August 2021, a significant regulatory milestone was achieved in Dubai as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued Decree No. (24), which is aimed at governing the application of 3D printing technology within the construction sector in Dubai.

In July of 2023, Dubai Municipality granted the first construction license for a private villa using 3D printing technology.

In addition to the manufacturing of these cutting-edge building robots, AC3D specialises in the development of proprietary 3D printing material mixes, the creation of advanced software solutions to streamline construction processes, as well as the engineering and 3D printing of entire buildings.

‘Climate Future Week’ organised by The Museum of the Future in collaboration with Dubai-based interdisciplinary think tank, Fiker Institute, will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, September 26 and run until Saturday 30, September. 

The event will see more than 30 spokespeople, including government ministers, senior officials and an elite group of business leaders and sustainability experts from across the UAE, the region and the globe, participate in 20 main sessions held over three days. The event also includes six workshops and three activations, including a Climate Start-up Majlis, Climate Film Festival and photography exhibition.

Climate Future Week aligns with the ‘Year of Sustainability’ and takes place as the UAE prepares to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai this coming November.

The events and dialogues will focus on three main pillars, including the future of climate action and the role of technology, the next generation of climate solutions and the role of entrepreneurship in developing new innovations supporting climate resilience, and the importance of enhancing climate awareness and human behaviour to achieve climate goals.

The activities of the first day will open with a speech by Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, focused on the roadmap ahead for climate action, followed by Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, who will discuss the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and sustainable tourism. Day one will also witness Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF discuss innovation in nature conservation and Najib Saab, Secretary General of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development, review the environmental future of the Arab world.

The first day will also see Toby Gregory, Founder of the Plastic Pledge and Founder of the Arabian Ocean Rowing team, discuss his inspirational ‘Row To COP’ expedition and Dr. Markus Eriksen, Co-Founder at 5 Gyres Institute, review the scientific solutions addressing plastic pollution. The afternoon will also play host to Alzainah Al Babtain, an organic gardening enthusiast and a Guinness World Record Holder, as well as Will Bennett, Landscape Architect and Founder of WILDEN, who will share diverse perspective during their sessions.

The first day of Climate Future Week will close with a ‘Climate Negotiations’ workshop in collaboration with Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, as well as the opportunity for visitors to watch three short films focused on sustainability and view a special Climate Photography Exhibition featuring three Emirati photographers.

The second day will then kick off with His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications who will discuss the connection between climate and artificial intelligence, and His Excellency, Dr. Thani Alzeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, who will share his views on the future of sustainable global trade in Dubai. Other key sessions will focus on sustainable architecture, with a presentation from Arthur Huang, Chief Executive Officer & Founder of MINIWIZ honing in on the UAE’s efforts in revolutionising architecture, Dr. Ayesha Abdulla Alkhoori, Material Scientist and Engineer, presenting on ‘Converting Carbon Dioxide for A Greener Future’, Andrew Dana Hudson, Author & Researcher; Imaginary College Fellow at the ASU Center for Science and the Imagination, and Wael Al Awar, Architect and Founding Partner of waiwai reviewing climate-conscious designs and creative responsibility.

The last day of the event will commence with a Countdown to COP28 discussion between His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 and International Union for Conservation of Nature President moderated by Emirati Author, Rhodes Scholar, and Founder of Fiker Institute Dubai Abulhoul.

Climate Future Week will also feature six workshops and three events, including a Climate Start-up Majlis, Climate Film Festival and photography exhibition. Held in collaboration with Fiker Institute, Climate Future Week at Museum of the Future is part of the UAE’s broader commitment to bolster national endeavours and initiatives within the realm of environmental conservation, climate change, and natural resource management. This commitment gains particular significance as COP28 approaches, where global discussions on the future of climate change will be hosted in Dubai from November.

Net Zero Nuclear, the initiative calling for collaboration among government, industry leaders and civil society to triple global nuclear capacity to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, has announced TerraPower as a new partner in the initiative.

TerraPower joins at the Platinum Partner level, boosting support for the initiative and bringing on board the first advanced nuclear development company to the group, which was launched by World Nuclear Association (WNA) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), with the support of the Atoms4NetZero initiative launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at the World Nuclear Symposium in London earlier this month.

The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero joined as the first government partner at this month’s launch event. In recent days, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Centrus Energy announced their partnership in the effort.

In the lead up to COP28, which will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai later this year, Net Zero Nuclear aims to bring together political leaders and industry to engage in data-driven, actionable, solutions-focused dialogue to enable the rapid expansion of the global nuclear fleet and the acceleration of research and development into emerging nuclear technologies.

The initiative will work to ensure nuclear energy’s potential is fully realised in facilitating the decarbonisation of global energy systems, by promoting the value of nuclear energy and removing barriers to its growth.

His Excellency Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, which leads the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program and its flagship Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, said: “Tapping into the full potential of nuclear energy to help us reach net zero and stop the most catastrophic effects of climate change will require innovative and visionary partners. TerraPower’s commitment brings additional expertise and innovation to the Net Zero Nuclear initiative, and I welcome their partnership. I look forward to working with them as we push ahead in our shared work to ensure nuclear power is a driving force in the transformative shift we need towards Net Zero.”

Chris Levesque, TerraPower’s President and CEO, stated: “The only way to successfully meet our net zero targets on-time is with the most advanced nuclear technologies and industry professionals who are committed to making things happen right now. TerraPower is bringing new, innovative solutions to market, including our Natrium technology that is currently being developed near a retiring coal-facility in the U.S. The Natrium plant is the only technology that offers 24/7 baseload energy along with an energy storage system that can provide dispatchable power to the grid when wind and solar are not available. The Net Zero Nuclear initiative will be vital to the industry’s efforts at COP to ensure the true benefits of next generation nuclear power are understood and accounted for as the world discusses how to meet zero-emissions targets. We are proud to be a partner in these efforts.”

Dr Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association said: “Maximizing the benefits of nuclear technology to address our climate and energy security challenges will require a combination of proven technology and new innovative products. New technology, like that being developed by TerraPower, will help accelerate global decarbonization and improve people’s lives. I am delighted TerraPower are joining our Net Zero Nuclear initiative.”