Saskatchewan has signed a new memorandum of understanding aimed at advancing nuclear innovation and helping support the development of a nuclear energy program in the United Arab Emirates.
The Saskatchewan Research Council and the Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society Inc. signed the agreement with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, the province said Friday.
The three-year memorandum sets out plans for collaboration on evaluating technologies related to small modular reactors and microreactors, as well as nuclear plant efficiency, reliability and workforce capacity building.
Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said Saskatchewan is positioned to be a global partner on nuclear innovation due to its uranium resources, skilled workforce and technical expertise.
“The UAE shares many energy transition goals with us, and our international trade and investment office in Dubai paired with our investment attraction efforts have been instrumental in forging this partnership,” Kaeding said in a statement.
The partnership will also explore areas such as waste management, technology transfer, artificial intelligence and robotics applications in nuclear energy, and knowledge exchange.
Emirates Nuclear Energy Company managing director and group CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi said rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence, data centres and energy-intensive industries is increasing the need for global cooperation on nuclear technologies.
“Our collaboration with SRC and GIEMS aligns with ENEC’s strategy to responsibly expand civil nuclear energy worldwide,” Al Hammadi said.
GIEMS executive director Tom Kishchuk said the agreement creates a framework connecting Saskatchewan’s post-secondary research and training institutions with ENEC’s innovation priorities.
SRC president and CEO Mike Crabtree said the organization brings decades of applied nuclear and uranium research experience, including nearly four decades of operating the SLOWPOKE-2 research reactor.
The province said the memorandum is valid for three years, with an option for renewal.