Sask. signs deal with United Arab Emirates on nuclear energy program

The agreement focuses on small modular reactors and nuclear efficiency, with Saskatchewan leveraging its uranium resources to support innovation.

Saskatchewan has signed a deal with the United Arab Emirates to help the country develop a nuclear energy program.

The three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Saskatchewan Research Council, the Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society, and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC).

The partnership will explore technologies for small modular reactors and microreactors, improve nuclear plant efficiency and reliability, and include work on waste management, technology transfer, AI and robotics in nuclear energy, and knowledge exchange.

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“With our vast uranium deposits, skilled workforce, and cluster of experts, Saskatchewan is the best region in the world to partner with on nuclear innovation,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said.

ENEC, which has more than 20 years of experience and a workforce of over 3,000 from 50 nations, says the deal comes as global electricity demand rises, driven by AI, data centers, and energy-intensive industries.

Both parties have the option to renew the agreement after the initial three-year term.