Abu dhabi: Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) have announced the UAE's inaugural delivery of low-carbon aluminium, produced using electricity from the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. This marks a significant milestone in the region's energy and industrial sectors.
According to Emirates News Agency, EGA has branded this low-carbon aluminium as MinimAL and will supply it to CANEX Aluminum, a leading aluminium downstream producer in Egypt. This initiative positions the UAE as a key supplier of low-carbon industrial materials globally, expanding EGA's portfolio of environmentally friendly metals for customers both locally and internationally.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, highlighted the dual benefit of nuclear energy in enhancing national energy security and supporting the UAE's industrial decarbonisation. He emphasized that the clean electricity generated at Barakah plays a crucial role in powering energy-intensive sectors, such as aluminium production, with 24/7 clean electricity.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, noted the increasing global demand for low-carbon aluminium, which is expected to triple by 2040. He stated that EGA aims to be a significant contributor to this growth, with MinimAL being the latest addition to their low-carbon product line, enabled by the UAE's investment in nuclear power.
Mutassem Daaboul, Managing Director of CANEX Aluminum, expressed the company's commitment to sustainability in production processes. He acknowledged that the use of MinimAL aligns with CANEX's upcycling model, further reducing emissions from the beginning of their production process.
The clean electricity for this aluminium production is certified through the UAE's Clean Energy Certification programme, adhering to International REC Standard (I-REC) protocols to ensure traceability. Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) supplies this power via the national grid.
The Barakah plant contributes significantly to the UAE's electricity supply, generating 40 terawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, meeting about 25% of the country's electricity needs. This carbon-free electricity from Barakah prevents 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions each year, comparable to removing 4.8 million cars from the roads.
EGA is recognized as the first company globally to produce aluminium using solar power, with 80,000 tonnes of CelestiAL produced in 2024. The company also markets recycled aluminium under the RevivAL brand, produced at its facilities in the United States and Germany. Additionally, EGA is constructing the UAE's largest aluminium recycling plant at Al Taweelah, expected to commence production in the first half of 2026.