The UAE’s nuclear program, which provides 25% of the country’s electricity needs, plays a key role in advancing energy diversification and security. The development of the UAE’s nuclear sector is made possible through the 2009 US-UAE 123 Agreement, which established the required legal framework for commerce in peaceful nuclear energy technology between the two countries.
The UAE-US agreement remains a powerful model due to the UAE’s commitment to oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the adoption of strong nonproliferation guarantees – including forgoing domestic uranium enrichment and reprocessing. For more than 15 years, the landmark 123 Agreement has been consistently reaffirmed as the “gold standard” by US officials across administrations and nonproliferation experts for its commitment to safety, security and operational transparency.
The UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant finished construction in 2024, bringing its fourth and final unit into operation. The Barakah Plant, developed and operated by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), has the capacity to generate 40TWh of energy annually.
To date, the project has resulted in over $2.75 billion in contracts for the US private sector, spanning 175 companies across 33 states. Collaboration with US firms, including Westinghouse, Bechtel, Lightbridge Corporation and CH2M, has ranged from manufacturing and engineering support to operational oversight and development of safety standards. Today, ENEC is actively working with US companies to further innovation in advanced nuclear reactor technologies with the potential to enhance efficiency and decarbonize heavy industries.
Read Ambassador Al Otaiba’s Wall Street Journal op-ed on the UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program.
Retired Senator Sam Nunn, a nonproliferation expert and former chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, cited the UAE’s leadership in safe and transparent nuclear energy development as “an especially powerful example” for other countries to emulate. "We are very grateful for the important leadership of the UAE in showing the world how nuclear power can be advanced safely, without contributing to nuclear proliferation dangers,” he said.
