Framatome and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) have signed an agreement for the supply of nuclear fuel assemblies and engineering services for the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Under this agreement, Framatome will supply complete nuclear fuel assemblies for use at the Barakah Plant. Framatome brings decades of experience in nuclear fuel manufacturing and innovation, making it a strategic partner to further strengthen the resilience and flexibility of ENEC's fuel supply chain and ensure the plant's continued excellence in nuclear power generation.
The agreement is a key step in ENEC's long-term strategy to diversify its fuel supply chain, enhancing energy security by ensuring an uninterrupted supply of 24/7 carbon-free power from the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to businesses, industries and homes across the UAE.
“We are proud to provide our advanced fuel to ENEC, ensuring security of the supply and meeting the UAE's clean energy goals,” said Grégoire Ponchon, CEO at Framatome. “The contract recognizes our state-of-the-art technologies and the reliability of our workforce to provide exceptional services to our customers.”
“Our agreement with Framatome advances our strategy to strengthen the security and reliability of our nuclear fuel supply chain. Diversification is key to ensuring that we continue to deliver safe, clean, and reliable electricity - powering the sustainable growth of the UAE's economy. Framatome's expertise and commitment to international standards adds depth to our operations and reinforces Barakah as a global model for operational excellence in clean energy generation. We remain dedicated to advancing Barakah's infrastructure and capabilities, continually striving for excellence in the nuclear power industry. ENEC continues to build on its existing operations through enhanced security, competitive costs, and innovative fuel solutions,” said His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC.
The fuel assemblies will be fabricated at Framatome's manufacturing facility in Richland (USA) which has been delivering the most advanced nuclear fuel and fuel-related products for 55 years to customers worldwide. The facility has received the highest rating from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission under its Licensee Performance Review (LPR) for 18 consecutive years. Framatome has over 40 years extensive experience fabricating fuel for Combustion Engineering design reactors like Barakah and has supplied more than 6,000 fuel assemblies of that type.
Framatome will also provide engineering support services from its U.S. headquarters in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Back row: Bernard Fontana, CEO of EDF, Grégoire Ponchon, CEO of Framatome, and His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC.