UAE Delivers First Low-Carbon Aluminium Using Nuclear Power

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) have made an important announcement. For the first time, the UAE has delivered low-carbon aluminium that is made using electricity from the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. This achievement marks a big step forward for the country in producing cleaner industrial materials that help protect the environment.

This news is exciting because aluminium production usually uses a lot of energy and causes pollution. By using clean nuclear power, the UAE can make aluminium with much less carbon pollution, which is better for the planet.

What Is Low-Carbon Aluminium and MinimAL?

Low-carbon aluminium is aluminium made using electricity that produces very little carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a gas that causes global warming and climate change. So, making aluminium with less carbon helps reduce harm to the environment.

EGA is selling this low-carbon aluminium under the brand name “MinimAL.” This product shows how the UAE is moving towards clean and sustainable industries. The first supply of MinimAL aluminium will go to CANEX Aluminum, a big aluminium company in Egypt. This partnership shows that the UAE can provide green industrial materials to other countries, helping the global fight against climate change.

How Nuclear Energy Supports Clean Aluminium Production

Mohamed Al Hammadi, the CEO of ENEC, explained how nuclear energy helps the UAE’s energy and environment goals. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant produces electricity all day, every day, without stopping. This steady supply of clean electricity is perfect for industries that need a lot of power, like aluminium production.

Using nuclear energy means the electricity has almost no carbon emissions. This clean energy helps industries lower their pollution. Mr. Al Hammadi said that the Barakah plant will keep powering the UAE’s low-carbon economy for many years to come. This means the country can grow while protecting the environment at the same time.

The Growing Need for Low-Carbon Aluminium Globally

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, talked about the future demand for low-carbon aluminium. Experts expect the world will need three times more low-carbon aluminium by 2040. This is because more countries and companies want to reduce pollution and use cleaner materials.

EGA wants to be a leader in meeting this demand. The new MinimAL product is possible because of the UAE’s investments in nuclear power. Mr. Bin Kalban said they are proud to work with ENEC to deliver more low-carbon aluminium to customers around the world. This helps make global industries more sustainable.

CANEX’s Focus on True Sustainability

Mutassem Daaboul, the Managing Director of CANEX Aluminum, shared his company’s views on sustainability. CANEX believes that being truly sustainable means caring about every step of making a product. They already recycle waste materials to make new aluminium products, which helps reduce pollution.

Now, with MinimAL aluminium from EGA, CANEX can also reduce pollution at the very start of production by using low-carbon raw materials. This is an important step to make their products even greener and better for the environment.

Certified Clean Electricity for Trust and Transparency

The clean electricity used to make MinimAL aluminium is certified by the UAE’s Clean Energy Certification program. This program uses international standards called International REC Standard (I-REC) protocols. These rules make sure the electricity is truly clean and that its green benefits can be tracked and trusted.

The electricity for the aluminium comes through the national power grid, managed by the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). This ensures a reliable and official source of clean energy for the aluminium production process.

Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant’s Role in UAE’s Clean Energy

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant produces a huge amount of clean electricity—40 terawatt-hours every year. This is about one-fourth (25%) of all the electricity the UAE needs. To understand how big this is, it is equal to the total electricity used by the whole country of Switzerland.

By using this clean nuclear electricity, the UAE avoids releasing 22.4 million tons of carbon dioxide every year. This amount of carbon saved is the same as taking 4.8 million cars off the road. These numbers show how important the Barakah plant is for helping the UAE reduce pollution and fight climate change.

EGA’s History and Leadership in Clean Aluminium

EGA has a strong history of making aluminium with clean energy. It was the first company in the world to produce aluminium using solar power. In 2024, EGA made 80,000 tonnes of solar-powered aluminium called CelestiAL.

Besides solar power, EGA also makes recycled aluminium. Their recycling product is called RevivAL, which is made at factories in the United States and Germany. Recycling aluminium saves energy and reduces waste.

In the UAE, EGA is building the country’s largest aluminium recycling plant in Al Taweelah. This new plant will start working in the first half of 2026. This project will help the UAE recycle more aluminium and keep reducing pollution.

Importance of This Milestone for UAE’s Green Future

The delivery of low-carbon aluminium made with nuclear energy shows that the UAE is serious about green growth and sustainability. The country is investing in clean energy and using it to support industries that usually cause pollution.

By working together, ENEC and EGA are showing how the UAE can produce industrial materials that protect the environment and support the economy. This step also shows the UAE’s commitment to the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.

A Model for Sustainable Industry

The UAE’s first delivery of low-carbon aluminium made using nuclear power is a major achievement. It proves that clean energy and industry can work together to create products that are better for the planet.

With the Barakah plant providing clean electricity and EGA creating innovative aluminium products like MinimAL, the UAE is setting an example for the world. This milestone supports a future where industries grow but do not harm the environment.

The UAE’s efforts will help the global market get more low-carbon materials and encourage more countries to follow the path of clean energy and sustainability.