Recently, Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Samsung C&T Corporation of South Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore global peaceful nuclear projects. This partnership marks another milestone in ENEC’s global expansion strategy

(Image: ENEC/Samsung C&T)

Broad Collaboration Agenda and Clear Objectives

• Conventional nuclear projects: Including restarts of decommissioned units in the U.S. and participation in new-build and M&A opportunities;

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Deployment in UAE, U.S. and other international markets;

• Nuclear-based hydrogen production: Evaluations in South Korea and other territories;

• Investment in nuclear service and equipment firms in the U.S.;

• Assessment of a nuclear power plant project in Romania, including development and financing considerations.

ENEC CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi stressed: “Through this MoU, we’re scaling global nuclear deployment, investment and innovation to deliver tangible impact to countries pursuing energy security, decarbonization, and long-term growth.” Samsung C&T CEO Oh Se‑cheol echoed how combining both firms’ strengths creates synergy in both large-scale and SMR sectors.

Background: ENEC’s Accelerating International Expansion

This agreement follows other recent MoUs ENEC has signed—with Hyundai E&C in Korea and Westinghouse in the U.S.—as well as collaborations with SMR developers such as Newcleo and GE Vernova Hitachi.

Since its Barakah nuclear power plant began operations, ENEC has emerged as a global leader in nuclear project execution. Barakah currently generates around 40 TWh annually, supplying about 25% of UAE’s electricity and offsetting over 22 million tons of carbon emissions each year.

Insights and Future Outlook

1. Strategic nuclear deployment amid global energy transition
   With surging power demand—driven by AI data centers and electrification—reliable, large-scale low-carbon energy is critical. Nuclear power offers scalable dispatchable clean electricity, and this collaboration addresses the international gap for reproducible, high-standard nuclear projects.

2. SMRs and hydrogen as catalytic innovations
   SMRs offer faster construction, modular deployment, and reduced risk compared to traditional reactors. Nuclear-based hydrogen offers potential industrial decarbonization pathways. Coupled together, they may form an advanced clean energy platform.

3. Constructing a full-scale international nuclear ecosystem
   ENEC brings project delivery experience and financing expertise; Samsung C&T brings engineering capability and international infrastructure reach. Together, they form a replicable model that could benefit developing economies through value creation in energy, jobs, and infrastructure.

4. Risks and coordination challenges remain
   Nuclear projects face long timelines, high capital intensity, regulatory uncertainty, and public acceptance issues. International collaboration involves navigating regulatory regimes and safety standards across jurisdictions—a critical factor for success.

The ENEC–Samsung C&T partnership not only builds upon the success of Barakah, but also signals a shift toward more organized, multi-party, outward-facing nuclear cooperation. The integrative model of developer + contractor + operator may well define the next chapter in global nuclear energy collaboration.