UAE Powers 25% Electricity With Nuclear, Cuts 22 Million Tons CO2

The UAE has become a global leader in nuclear energy, with the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant supplying 25% of the nation's electricity and significantly reducing carbon emissions. This success is attributed to a comprehensive strategy that includes public outreach and creating a robust industrial ecosystem, which supports both local supply chains and exports of nuclear expertise. Nuclear energy is increasingly seen as essential for meeting climate goals, energy security, and supporting rising power demands from data centers and AI technologies. In Southeast Asia, reports indicate that solar and wind energy could provide up to 30% of electricity demand for data centers by 2030, helping to decouple digital infrastructure growth from increased carbon emissions. However, the transition requires supportive policies such as power purchase agreements and green tariffs, along with investment in infrastructure and energy efficiency, to mitigate rising emissions from expanding data center operations. Meanwhile, the Middle East, led by Saudi Arabia, is aggressively pursuing renewable energy development as an existential imperative to address climate threats and economic diversification, positioning itself as a key player in the clean energy future.