The demand for power in the UAE will be more than 40,000 megawatts annually by 2020 at a growing rate of 9 per cent, said a senior government official.

The growth rate average is three times of the international energy demand average, added Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, addressing the New Nuclear International Conference (NNIC) in Abu Dhabi, said WAM, the Emirates news agency.

The event, hosted by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), opened today (November 11) at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, and will run until November 14.

The conference will gather nuclear energy leaders from more than 40 countries, who will explore opportunities for developing nuclear energy programmes.