UAE Explores Nuclear Expansion Tender and Small Modular Reactors for Industrial Power

The United Arab Emirates is examining a tender that could double its commercial nuclear reactor fleet while diversifying beyond baseload power generation into small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced modular reactors (AMRs), and maritime decarbonisation, according to an analysis by law firm Stephenson Harwood reported by Utilities Middle East. The strategy marks the next stage of development for the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) following the full commercial operation of the 5.6 GW Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.

Barakah's four South Korean-built APR-1400 units achieved full commercial operation in September 2024, delivering 40 TWh of zero-carbon power annually to satisfy 25% of the UAE's electricity demand. The analysis noted that the plant has cut the country's liquefied natural gas import expenses by more than $9 billion, freed domestic gas for industry and export, and avoided 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year in alignment with the UAE Net-Zero by 2050 Strategy.

To accommodate power demand projected to rise from 54.15 GW to 68.08 GW—largely propelled by artificial intelligence data centres requiring firm baseload power—the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) is implementing its 2025–2029 regulatory plan while ENEC assesses market expansion options. To serve energy-dense and high-temperature requirements, the ENEC ADVANCE programme launched evaluations with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy in May 2025 for BWRX-300 SMR deployment to power data centres, support hydrogen synthesis, and enable regional co-development.

In the micro-reactor domain, Abu Dhabi-based EHC Investment, linked to International Holding Company, signed a memorandum of understanding on 24 February 2026 with US-based NANO Nuclear Energy regarding the domestic deployment and potential dual listing of the KRONOS micro-modular reactor. The 45 MW thermal, 15 MW electrical transportable reactor is intended for off-grid operations, remote industrial locations, and port electrification—including shore-to-ship power at Jebel Ali and Khalifa Port.