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Nuclear Power

ENEC and GE Vernova Hitachi sign small modular reactor deployment evaluation MoU during World Utilities Congress

12 min read
  • MoU identifies pathways for deployment of GE Vernova Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR technology globally

  • New MoU builds on the 2023 MoU signed during COP 28 in Dubai as part of ENEC’s ADVANCE program

Abu Dhabi, UAE (May 27, 2025) - The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) have signed an MoU on the sidelines of the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to jointly evaluate the deployment of the BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology internationally. The MoU enables ENEC and GE Vernova Hitachi to further cooperate following the signing of the MoU in 2023 on the sidelines of COP 28 to evaluate the technology as part of ENEC’s ADVANCE program for advanced nuclear technology. Nuclear energy is a crucial solution to meeting the current unprecedented demand for reliable, dispatchable, more sustainable power coming from a broad range of customers, including hyperscalers seeking to power data centers to support growth in the AI and technology sectors.

The MoU was signed during a private ceremony at the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE. HE Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC and Maví Zingoni, CEO of GE Vernova’s Power segment, exchanged signed MOUs as part of their commitment to explore opportunities for international deployment by collaborating on a development roadmap to include site identification, licensing pathways, investment and commercialization strategies and supply chain development.

Following the signing, His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, said: “As we continue to power the UAE with clean, baseload electricity around the clock, we are glad to move to the next level of cooperation with GE Vernova Hitachi to accelerate the deployment of new advanced nuclear reactor technologies in the UAE and internationally. This MoU will bring together our complementary expertise to identify a clear roadmap for deployment, which is essential to ensure safe, efficient and quality-led nuclear delivery, as we have experienced here in the UAE. As global power demand continues to grow at pace, we look forward to advancing new solutions to meet this growth in a sustainable manner.”

Maví Zingoni, CEO of GE Vernova’s Power Businesses, said: “Small modular reactors have an essential role to play in an energy secure future and we are pleased to advance our collaboration with ENEC as the UAE seeks to be an early mover for nuclear innovation. With projects moving forward in Canada and in the United States, collaborating with ENEC further strengthens our ties with the UAE and ability to deliver this technology and achieve a more sustainable energy future.”

As developer and operator of the four-unit Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, UAE, ENEC brings significant expertise following the successful deployment of civil nuclear energy to power the UAE’s grid, aligned to the highest standards of international quality and safety. ENEC is a member of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Atlanta Center and therefore is aligned on US operating standards and regulatory environment, combined with unique expertise in deployment, financing and integration. Today, 25% of the UAE is powered by nuclear energy having brought each unit of the plant onto the grid in a highly efficient 7.9 years.

GE Vernova’s Nuclear Power business, through its global alliance with Hitachi, is a world-leading provider of nuclear fuel bundles, services, and advanced nuclear reactor designs. Technologies include boiling water reactors and small modular reactors, such as the BWRX-300, which is one of the simplest, yet most innovative boiling water reactor designs. On May 8, the Province of Ontario and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) approved the deployment of the first BWRX-300 at the Darlington nuclear site in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, on May 20 Tennessee Valley Authority submitted application for construction of first BWRX-300 small modular reactor in the US. These milestones will make the BWRX-300 the first SMR to be built in the Western world and mark a significant step forward in advancing nuclear innovation, reinforcing GVH’s leadership position in scaling SMRs commercially. The technology and engineering are developed at the nuclear headquarters in Wilmington, NC.

Teams from ENEC and GE Vernova Hitachi will now work together to evaluate and develop a comprehensive roadmap for deployment of the BWRX-300. This forms part of ENEC’s ADVANCE Program, which was created to accelerate the evaluation and potential deployment of next generation nuclear technologies.

Beyond the Barakah plant, ENEC is focused on identifying investment, collaboration and deployment opportunities both in the UAE and overseas to support the rapid delivery of civil nuclear energy to drive energy security and sustainability through the provision of clean baseload electricity.

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About the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy. Established by decree in December 2009 by the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ENEC represents all aspects of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program.

The four units of ENEC’s flagship Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant are generating 40 TWh of safe, clean and reliable electricity 24/7 for the UAE, boosting the Nation’s energy security and sustainability in parallel. The Barakah Plant generates around 25% of the nation’s electricity while preventing the release of 22.4 million tons of carbon per annum. As a result, ENEC is leading the largest decarbonization effort in the country and spearheading the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. Beyond overseeing safe, quality-led operations at Barakah, ENEC is focused on exploring opportunities to maximize the full value of the expertise developed in nuclear mega project program delivery and technology deployment through investment, collaboration and development opportunities. As part of this, ENEC is looking at new nuclear energy technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Reactor technologies, through its ADVANCE program, for potential domestic and international deployment.

About ENEC Operations
A Joint Venture subsidiary of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and partially owned by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), ENEC Operations is mandated to safely operate and maintain Units 1 to 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in adherence to the highest standards of quality, safety, security, and operational transparency.

ENEC Operations is a multinational, multicultural company committed to operating excellence through its skilled nuclear energy workforce in the United Arab Emirates, with a focus on the development of UAE Nationals, and ensuring the highest levels of efficiency and standards in operating the Barakah Plant.

About ENEC Commercial
A Joint Venture subsidiary of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and partially owned by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), ENEC Commercial is in charge of representing the financial and commercial interests of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant project. For more information, visit www.enec.gov.ae 

About GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy
GE Vernova’s Nuclear Power business, through its global alliance with Hitachi, is a world-leading provider of nuclear fuel bundles, services, and advanced nuclear reactor designs. Technologies include boiling water reactors and small modular reactors, such as the BWRX-300, which is one of the simplest, yet most innovative boiling water reactor designs. GE Vernova’s Nuclear fuel business, Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), is a world-leading supplier of boiling water reactor fuel and fuel-related engineering services. GNF is a GE Vernova-led joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd. and operates primarily through Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC in Wilmington, N.C., and Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan Co., Ltd. in Kurihama, Japan.
HITACHI is a trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. used under trademark license. GE is a trademark of General Electric Company used under trademark license.

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About GE Vernova

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across approximately 100 countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.

Follow GE Vernova in Middle East & Africa on their website and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements – that is, statements related to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements often address GE Vernova’s expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and the expected performance of its products, the impact of its services and the results they may generate or produce, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about planned and potential transactions, investments or projects and their expected results and the impacts of macroeconomic and market conditions and volatility on the Company’s business operations, financial results and financial position and on the global supply chain and world economy.

© 2025 GE Vernova and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
GE and the GE Monogram are trademarks of General Electric Company used under trademark license.

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His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, and Maví Zingoni, CEO of GE Vernova’s Power segment
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His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, and Maví Zingoni, CEO of GE Vernova’s Power segment
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GE Vernova Hitachi's BWRX-300 SMR
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GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy's logo
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Jon Allen
GE Vernova | Communications, Nuclear Power
Abeer Masood
GE Vernova | Communications Director, Middle East and Africa
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Grid Solutions

GE Vernova addresses energy trilemma; calls for safe, secure, and reliable grids in new whitepaper released at ADIPEC

6 min read
  • GE Vernova is participating at ADIPEC 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a stand 7135 in Hall 7, and speaking opportunities

  • Whitepaper on “Securing Smart Grids: Strategies and Best Practices” highlights how software will play a bigger role in managing a safe, secure, and reliable grid and help reduce cyber-attacks in the utilities industry

Dubai, UAE (November 3, 2024) – GE Vernova, Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is participating at ADIPEC 2024, taking place from 4 – 7 November at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). ADIPEC is one of the world's largest energy shows and GE Vernova's team will be showcasing technologies that are helping communities across the world maintain reliable, affordable, and secure electricity systems, while also increasing access to power and reducing carbon emissions. GE Vernova’s participation at ADIPEC will include interactive activities on stand 7135 in Hall 7, and  speaking sessions covering a wide range of topics including: the future of energy, the role of hydrogen, financing the energy transition, accelerating the journey to net zero, and the grid of the future.

Smart grids can harness real-time data, automation, and advanced control systems to optimize energy flow, enhance resilience, and integrate renewable sources. However, as the sector relies more on digital interconnected systems, the risk of cyberattacks has increased dramatically, making cybersecurity a critical component of any smart grid infrastructure. In Q2 2024, corporate networks experienced a 30% increase in weekly attacks compared to the same period in 2023[1]. Grid operators and utilities recognize that software needs to play a bigger role in managing a safe, secure, and reliable grid. This is the premise of GE Vernova’s newly published whitepaper on “Securing Smart Grids: Strategies and Best Practices”. 

The white paper provides a comprehensive approach to smart grids vulnerability assessments and risk management, offering guidance on identifying and evaluating potential weaknesses, including:

  • Leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to strengthen grid security
  • Adopting secure communication protocols
  • Implementing industry best practices such as asset management, zero trust architecture and patch management
  • A case study on a utility in the UAE which highlights an example of a tailored security solution aimed at minimizing cyberattack surface, enhancing access requirements, and mitigating operational risks

“The digital transformation of the grid is becoming a mission critical endeavor to optimize grid operations, ensuring a steadfast, efficient, and secure electricity supply, especially with the integration of more renewable energy sources,” said Bernard Dagher, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer of GE Vernova's Grid Solutions in the Middle East & Africa. “At GE Vernova, we understand the importance of collaborating with our customers and industry stakeholders to implement robust cybersecurity measures across energy and utilities to prevent disruptions.”

GE Vernova spun-off from GE (NYSE: GE) and began trading as an independent company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 2, 2024. Building on over 130 years of experience, and with approximately 55,000 wind turbines and 7,000 gas turbines, GE Vernova's technology base helps generate about 25% of the world's electricity and has a meaningful role to play in the energy transition. 

For decades, GE Vernova has contributed to the development of the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) energy infrastructure, supporting economic diversification, localization, high value exports, and talent development efforts. In Saudi Arabia, the company’s investments in the Kingdom include the GE Manufacturing and Technology Center (GEMTEC) campus in Dammam, which encompasses a Service and Repairs Center for gas turbines, the GE MENA Decarbonization Center of Excellence, a Monitoring & Diagnostics Center for the remote monitoring of power generation assets, and GE Saudi Advanced Turbines (GESAT) for gas turbines and components in Saudi Arabia. In July 2024, GE Vernova rolled out first H-Class gas turbine completed at Saudi Arabia GESAT facility and the company continues to support Saudi Vision 2030. Other investments in the GCC include the GE Kuwait Technology Center and the Jebel Ali Service Center in the UAE.

[1] https://blog.checkpoint.com/research/check-point-research-reports-highest-increase-of-global-cyber-attacks-seen-in-last-two-years-a-30-increase-in-q2-2024-global-cyber-attacks/

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Notes to Editors
GE Vernova, Inc. (NYSE: GEV) invites you to visit GE Vernova's stand 7135 in Hall 7 at ADNEC to explore, interact, and immerse yourself in a unique display of industry-leading technology and solutions that are electrifying, decarbonizing, and shaping the future of energy.

Our global team of energy industry experts will also be available to present advanced solutions and respond to your questions.

Follow #GEVernovaAtADIPEC and around the region on LinkedIn

About GE Vernova
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova and LinkedIn.

GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business electrifies the world with advanced grid technologies and systems, enabling power transmission and distribution from the point of generation to point of consumption, and supporting a decarbonized and secured energy transition.

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© 2024 GE Vernova and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
GE is a trademark of General Electric Company and is used under trademark license

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Cybersecurity is a critical component of any smart grid infrastructure
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Gas Power

GE Vernova ‘Power Supplier Partnership Summit’ strengthens regional supply chain

4 min read
  • Companies from the Middle East, North Africa and other parts of the world honored with annual Supplier Partnership Award in the areas of safety, quality, on-time delivery, competitiveness, and overall partnership

Dubai, UAE (May 6, 2024)GE Vernova’s Gas Power business (NYSE: GEV) held the annual regional ‘Power Supplier Partnership Summit’ in Dubai, UAE, convening over 200 representatives from up to 135 organizations in person and virtually from across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and beyond.

The event featured insightful presentations and case studies, interactive discussions, and one-on-one meetings among senior representatives from GE Vernova and participating organizations. The themes covered revolved around safety, quality, power sector trends, challenges and opportunities, ideas on how to bridge gaps in the supply chain as various actors seek to decarbonize the region’s energy system while meeting growing demand, and more.

GE Vernova recognized select organizations with ‘Supplier Partnership Awards’ at the Summit for excellence in the areas of safety, quality, on-time delivery, competitiveness, and overall partnership. Awards were given to suppliers from various countries, including Algeria, Iraq, Libya and the UAE.

Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), said, “As organizations and governments look to accelerate the energy sector’s transition to net zero, we recognize that no one company or actor can deliver the world’s growing needs for more reliable, affordable, and sustainable power alone. Strengthening our vast network of diverse suppliers is a critical part of our strategy to maintain operational agility and help deliver the high quality solutions that our customers are looking for reliably and on time. By organizing events such as this annual summit, we contribute towards nurturing the regional supply chain and driving forward national industrialization and economic diversification goals to create greater shared value in the power sector.”

GE Vernova spun-off from GE (NYSE: GE) and began trading as an independent company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 2, 2024. With approximately 55,000 wind turbines and 7,000 gas turbines, GE Vernova's technology base helps generate about 30% of the world's electricity and has a meaningful role to play in the energy transition.

GE Vernova has a long history in the Middle East, with a presence here that spans back up to 90 years. The company has provided power generation, transmission, distribution, and digital solutions to support the development of the energy sector across the region. Its investments in the GCC include the GE Manufacturing and Technology Center campus in Saudi Arabia, the GE Kuwait Technology Center, and the Jebel Ali Service Center in the United Arab Emirates.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Follow GE Vernova in Middle East & Africa on LinkedIn.

About GE Vernova
GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerators. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with more than 80,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova and LinkedIn.

GE Vernova’s mission is embedded in its name – it retains its legacy, “GE,” as an enduring and hard-earned badge of quality and ingenuity. “Ver” / “verde” signal Earth’s verdant and lush ecosystems. “Nova,” from the Latin “novus,” nods to a new, innovative era of lower carbon energy.

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© 2024 GE Vernova and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
GE is a trademark of General Electric Company and is used under trademark license

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Attendees at GE Vernova's Power Supplier Partnership Summit
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GE Vernova | Communications Director, Middle East and Africa