Nama Development Enterprises, an Emirati engineering services firm specialised in energy and infrastructure, and Assystem, the world’s third-largest independent engineering group, have today signed a joint venture agreement to create a new engineering firm named Emirates Nuclear & Systems Services (ENSS). Based in Abu Dhabi, ENSS’s main purpose will be to partner the United Arab Emirates in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants as part of the UAE’s energy programme.
Nama Development Enterprises and Assystem engineering groups plan to work together to design, build and operate the nuclear infrastructure required for the UAE’s nuclear energy programme. The two partners will also bring their pooled expertise in project management, security systems and cyber-security to support all of the industrial players taking part in the UAE’s complex infrastructure programmes.
ENSS will provide its clients with Nama’s experience in terms of industry, recruitment and logistics in the UAE, combined with Assystem’s long-standing expertise in the nuclear sector and complex systems. The joint venture notably offers the means for meeting the technical and regulatory requirements of the Barakah nuclear power plant – a $20 billion new-build project located to the west of Abu Dhabi, designed to generate 5,600 megawatts of electricity.
Through this joint venture, Assystem will be able to further strengthen the solid positioning it has already built up with local partners in the Gulf region as part of its overall mission of helping emerging nuclear energy countries develop their new infrastructure. In parallel, the transaction has cemented Assystem’s status as a key partner of the UAE’s nuclear industry.
In addition to its work in the UAE, the Assystem Group is closely involved in other nuclear energy programmes in this region of the world, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Commenting on the new joint venture, Stéphane Aubarbier, Assystem’s Chief Operating Officer said “This partnership with a major player in the UAE gives us even more local expertise to leverage for supporting new-entrant countries in developing their nuclear programmes. We are delighted to be forging ever-deeper business relations with partners in the Middle East, a region where nuclear energy is a fast-growing market”.
“Today we are delighted to finalize our JV agreement and together with our partners we are committed to have a long-term presence in the UAE with the objective of being the best local service providers to the UAE’s nuclear programme.” added Matthew Hollis, Nama Managing Director.
About NAMA
Nama Development Enterprises is a wholly locally owned company, established in 1992 and servicing the development of Abu Dhabi’s economy through continuous diligent service and support to Abu Dhabi’s national oil company, ADNOC, and to the energy sector. To know more: www.namauae.com
Source: Assystem
