EMSTEEL Partners with ENEC to Utilize Nuclear Power for Steel Production

EMSTEEL Group, one of the leading producers of steel and building materials in the Middle East, has embarked on a new path towards low-carbon production through its enhanced energy collaboration with Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC).

This latest agreement sees EMSTEEL sourcing nuclear-generated electricity certified by Abu Dhabi's Clean Energy Certificates Programme, conforming to the international I-REC standards overseen by Emirates Water & Electricity Company (EWEC). This strategic move aims to drastically reduce the emissions associated with electricity consumption, a significant factor in the carbon footprint of steel manufacturing.

This initiative is part of EMSTEEL's sustainability strategy, TrueGreen, which consolidates the company's ongoing decarbonisation goals under a unified framework, while underlining the increasing importance of nuclear energy in providing clean and reliable power for the UAE's heavy industries.

Strengthening a Decade-Long Agreement

The collaboration reflects more than a decade of partnership between EMSTEEL and ENEC. During the establishment of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the first operational multi-unit nuclear facility in the MENA region, EMSTEEL provided approximately 160,000 tonnes of nuclear-grade rebar, which constituted about 60 percent of the project’s overall rebar needs, highlighting EMSTEEL's proactive role in the UAE's civil nuclear initiatives.

With the acquisition of nuclear-based Clean Energy Certificates, EMSTEEL is set to benefit from low-carbon baseload electricity. This development significantly decreases its Scope 2 emissions, thereby lowering the carbon intensity of the steel produced in the UAE. EMSTEEL has established itself as the first steel manufacturer in the region to implement nuclear-certified clean energy, assuring a new level of transparency and responsibility in a sector known for its high emissions.

Advancing Towards Complete Clean Electricity

EMSTEEL has already integrated cleaner energy sources into a substantial proportion of its operations, with 86 percent of electricity in its steel manufacturing and 14 percent in its cement operations derived from environmentally friendly sources. This includes over 1.48 million megawatt-hours from nuclear energy and more than 650,000 megawatt-hours from solar energy across its facilities.

The company targets achieving 100 percent clean electricity by 2030, aligning with its long-term decarbonisation roadmap and contributing to the UAE's broader climate objectives.

Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, remarked on the importance of clean energy, advanced technology, and verified data in the journey towards credible industrial decarbonisation. He emphasized that the enhanced partnership with ENEC bolsters EMSTEEL's aspirations to expand low-carbon steel production and illustrates how national partnerships can expedite industrial transformation.

Nuclear Power for Industrial Needs

The agreement also showcases how clean nuclear energy can adequately supply the ongoing demands of industrial users without jeopardizing grid reliability. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Group CEO of ENEC, stated that this partnership serves as a practical model for sectors facing challenges in reducing emissions while remaining competitive.

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant generates about 40 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, catering to around 25 percent of the UAE’s total electricity requirement while preventing around 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year. With a projected operational lifespan of at least 60 years, Barakah is positioned to enhance energy security, foster industrial growth, and support a more resilient national grid.

Driving Net Zero Goals

The EMSTEEL-ENEC partnership underscores how collaborative efforts across sectors can facilitate the UAE’s industrial transition. By intertwining clean, dependable nuclear energy with manufacturing, it contributes to the nation's Net Zero 2050 Strategy and strengthens the UAE’s status as a leader in sustainable, low-carbon industrial practices.