ENEC's Al Hammadi Appointed WANO Atlanta Centre Chairman

In a landmark achievement for the UAE’s nuclear sector, Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) has announced that its Managing Director and Group CEO, His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, has been appointed as Chairman of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Atlanta Centre, marking the first Arab to hold this esteemed position. This appointment highlights the UAE’s growing stature in the international nuclear domain.

The WANO Atlanta Centre unites the operators of over 100 commercial nuclear units across North America, alongside selected global partners. It is pivotal in enhancing performance benchmarks, conducting peer reviews, and ensuring operational safety worldwide.

Al Hammadi has been actively engaged with WANO for more than ten years, having joined the governing board of the Atlanta Centre in 2015 and serving as WANO President from 2022 to 2024. His leadership comes at a time when the U.S. is ramping up support for civil nuclear energy through federal initiatives and industry collaborations.

This announcement also coincides with several partnership agreements between ENEC and prominent U.S. nuclear firms, including Westinghouse and GE Vernova. These collaborations aim to stimulate the development of new projects, broaden fuel supply networks, and explore investment opportunities in next-generation nuclear solutions. Adopting U.S. operational standards and regulatory practices influenced by NRC guidelines, ENEC is set to progress swiftly with joint nuclear initiatives between the U.S. and UAE.

The UAE’s standing in the nuclear field is bolstered by the success of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the first multi-unit nuclear facility in the Arab world. Barakah generates 40 TWh of clean power each year, fulfilling a quarter of the nation’s energy needs and serving as the largest single electricity source in the region. This achievement cements the UAE's reputation among the most dependable civil nuclear operators globally.

With Al Hammadi’s new leadership position at WANO Atlanta Centre, the UAE is poised to enhance its contributions to global nuclear safety, reliability, and cooperation, while continuing to forge partnerships within the expanding civil nuclear industry.