UAE, U.S. join hands in strategic energy use

DUBAI, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed Wednesday a deal with the U.S. to renew their commitment to strategic energy use, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Suhail Al-Mazrouei, UAE minister of Energy and Industry, and U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry in the capital Abu Dhabi, involves mutual work on technologies related to carbon capture, utilization and storage, civil nuclear energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Both sides agreed to expand cooperation on the development and trade in conventional and unconventional oil, gas and coal.

The deal highlights UAE-U.S. cooperation "in the emerging civilian nuclear power sector in the UAE and the commitment of both countries to the development of safe, secure and responsible nuclear power in compliance with international agreements," WAM reported.

The two parties also discussed the importance of addressing energy security challenges through public and private sector partnerships and investment to support the development and deployment of "all forms of energy and technologies."

The UAE is building four nuclear power plants for peaceful energy purposes near Al-Barakah, southwest of Abu Dhabi. The first plant is scheduled to come on stream by 2018. Enditem