EMSTEEL and ENEC Join Forces to Revolutionize Steelmaking with Nuclear Energy

In an ambitious move towards sustainable manufacturing, EMSTEEL Group, a prominent steel and building materials producer in the Middle East, has expanded its clean energy partnership with Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC).

The new agreement enables EMSTEEL to utilize nuclear-generated electricity certified under Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Certificates Programme. This initiative aims to drastically reduce emissions associated with electricity consumption, which is a crucial factor in the carbon emissions stemming from steel production.

This effort aligns with EMSTEEL’s sustainability initiative, TrueGreen, which consolidates the company’s persistent efforts toward decarbonisation into a unified strategy. It underscores the rising significance of nuclear energy in providing dependable, clean energy for the UAE’s heavy industry.

Building on a Decade of Partnership

This collaboration builds upon over ten years of partnership between EMSTEEL and ENEC. During the establishment of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the first multi-unit nuclear facility in the region, EMSTEEL contributed approximately 160,000 tonnes of nuclear-grade rebar, fulfilling around 60 percent of the plant’s rebar demand, emphasizing its early involvement in the UAE's nuclear energy initiatives.

By acquiring nuclear-based Clean Energy Certificates, EMSTEEL accesses low-carbon, baseload electricity, reducing its Scope 2 emissions and enhancing the carbon efficiency of steel production in the UAE. The firm has set a benchmark as the region's first steel manufacturer to adopt nuclear-certified clean energy, exemplifying transparency in a heavily polluting industry.

Advancing Towards 100% Clean Electricity

EMSTEEL is already leveraging clean energy in a significant part of its operations, with 86 percent of electricity used in its steel plants and 14 percent in cement production sourced from clean energy. This includes over 1.48 million megawatt-hours from nuclear energy and around 650,000 megawatt-hours from solar sources across its operations.

The firm aims for 100 percent clean electricity by 2030, aligned with its long-term decarbonisation roadmap and the UAE’s climate objectives.

Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, remarked that clean energy and advanced technology play a pivotal role in effective industrial decarbonisation. He affirmed that the strengthened collaboration with ENEC paves the way for increased low-carbon steel production and demonstrates how national partnerships can drive industrial transformation.

Nuclear Energy as an Industrial Solution

From ENEC’s perspective, this agreement highlights the role of carbon-free nuclear power in supporting high-demand industrial users while ensuring grid reliability. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Group CEO of ENEC, noted that the partnership serves as a viable model for sectors striving to diminish emissions while maintaining competitiveness.

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is projected to produce around 40 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, catering to roughly 25 percent of the UAE’s total energy requirements. Its operations are estimated to prevent 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year. With a projected lifespan exceeding 60 years, Barakah is poised to bolster energy security, foster industrial progress, and fortify the national grid.

Paving the Path Towards Net Zero

The collaboration between EMSTEEL and ENEC exemplifies how intersectoral alliances can drive the UAE’s industrial shift. By integrating reliable, clean nuclear energy with heavy manufacturing, this partnership aids in the realization of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, positioning the nation as a frontrunner in low-carbon, sustainable industrial practices.