UAE Peaceful Nuclear Program Supports Information and AI Centers
New York, September 22 - Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, reiterated that nuclear energy is a viable solution to reduce carbon emissions in high-carbon emission sectors, such as transportation, construction, advanced technology, and the oil and gas industry.
This statement was made during a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the 2023 Global Summit on Nuclear Energy Policies, organized by the Atlantic Council in New York, USA, this week. Al Hammadi was joined by Dr. Sma Belbaou Elyon, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, John Wagner, Director of the Idaho National Laboratory, and Jennifer Gordon, Director of the Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative at the Atlantic Council.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation leveraged its expertise gained from developing the Barakah Nuclear Power Plants and the continuous advancement of the UAE's peaceful nuclear program. This effort aims to produce carbon-free electricity at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plants and accelerate research and development in emerging fields like hydrogen, heat, and steam. These areas are pivotal in reducing carbon emissions and supporting other nations striving for climate neutrality.
Furthermore, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation seeks to contribute to global initiatives that promote new and sustainable technologies for electricity production. This initiative not only aims to reduce carbon footprints in heavy industries but also to meet the rising demand for carbon-free electricity, especially in data centers that play a vital role in our increasingly digital world.
Al Hammadi pointed out that the number of data centers has increased from 800,000 in 2013 to 8 million in 2022. Studies project that these data centers will consume 10% of the world's electricity by 2030. In addition to this, the growth of artificial intelligence further intensifies the competition for what can be referred to as digital customers worldwide, all seeking environmentally friendly electricity to power these data centers.