Abu Dhabi's Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with French utilities developer and investor EDF for cooperation on research and development in the nuclear energy sector, including exploring the production of green hydrogen using nuclear power.

It is understood EDF has provided Enec operations and maintenance subsidiary Nawah Energy Company (Nawah) with operational safety, radiation protection, fuel cycle management and environmental monitoring services support, among others, since 2018. 

The support includes engineering studies, on-site support, training and benchmarking sessions.

EDF, in partnership with China's Jinko Solar, and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) and Masdar, are developing the 2GW solar photovoltaic independent power producer (IPP) project in Al-Dhafra.

EDF also leads the consortium developing the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid (MBR) solar park in Dubai.

In late June, French ambassador to the UAE Xavier Chatel, alluded that French firms are working with several key stakeholders in the UAE "on developing cooperation in the field of hydrogen".

Green hydrogen strides

Abu Dhabi has been making major strides to develop green hydrogen capabilities.

READ: Abu Dhabi forms hydrogen alliance

Design is under way for a green hydrogen demonstrator plant at Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, the main infrastructure of which will be built by Siemens Energy and Japan’s Marubeni.

The hydrogen produced at the Masdar plant is expected to be used for fuel cells in buses in Masdar City and in aviation fuel to be used by airlines Etihad and Lufthansa, which both support the initiative, along with the UAE's Khalifa University of Science &Technology and the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy. A next phase is planned that will look into extending the use of the fuel in the maritime and shipping sectors.

In May, Abu Dhabi announced the formation of a special purpose vehicle to develop a $1bn green ammonia facility at Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad).

Two months earlier, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and Italy-headquartered Snam agreed to jointly explore hydrogen investment and development initiatives in the UAE and globally.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced on 21 March that the UAE has approved a national system for hydrogen fuel-powered vehicles, although no specific details regarding this policy have since been disclosed.

In January this year, Mubadala, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and government holding firm ADQ signed a MoU to form the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance, which aims to establish the emirate as “a trusted leader of low-carbon green and blue hydrogen in emerging international markets”.