[Edaily Reporter JAEMIN SONG ] SamsungElectronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to inspect a power plant construction site and discuss plans to expand into future growth businesses, such as artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and energy infrastructure. As Middle Eastern countries transition from oil- and gas-dependent economies to high-tech industries like AI, this move is seen as an effort to seek new growth opportunities by leveraging the competitive edge the company has built through its existing nuclear power and plant projects.

According to Samsung on the 22nd, Chairman Lee visited the construction site of the Al Dhafra gas-fired power plant in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the 21st (local time). After touring key facilities with on-site staff and reviewing the construction schedule and safety management status, he discussed business strategies in response to changes in the Middle Eastern market and plans for entering new businesses with executives from SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION and SamsungE&A.

The Al Dhafra Power Plant is a 1,000-megawatt (MW, 1 GW) gas-fired power plant currently under construction by SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION in a consortium with local construction firm Trojan General Contracting. The facility is intended to meet the growing demand for electricity driven by the UAE’s industrial development and is expected to contribute to the power supply needed for high-tech industries, such as AI data centers, in the future.

Samsung is exploring business opportunities in the energy and plant sectors, as well as in the AI infrastructure field, with a focus on the UAE. The UAE is pushing ahead with large-scale AI infrastructure investments, including the “Stargate” project—a 5-gigawatt (GW) AI data center project with initial investment costs alone totaling approximately 30 trillion won. Analysts suggest that as the AI industry expands, the importance of power supply and related infrastructure will grow, potentially creating more business opportunities for Samsung affiliates.

SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION participated in the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE, overseeing the construction of four APR1400 reactors—a Korean-designed model—and related facilities. In July of last year, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) to jointly develop and invest in global nuclear power and small modular reactor (SMR) projects. SamsungE&A is also expanding its business in the Middle Eastern energy market, having secured the TA’ZIZ methanol project in the UAE last year, which involves an investment of over 2.5 trillion won.

Chairman Lee has also been building a foundation for business cooperation by engaging with key figures in the Middle East. In 2019, he discussed cooperation in the fields of semiconductors, 5G mobile communications, and AI with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, UAE, and in May 2024, he met with President Mohammed during his visit to South Korea. Last November, he also met with key local figures in Abu Dhabi, UAE, including Crown Prince Khalid bin Mohammed Al Nahyan.

He has also continued to conduct on-site management visits to business sites in the Middle East. In 2019, he visited the Riyadh Metro construction site in Saudi Arabia, and in December 2022, he chose the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE as the first overseas business site to visit after assuming the chairmanship. During the 2023 Chuseok holiday, he also inspected the R&D center in Israel, a production plant in Egypt, and a tunnel construction site in Saudi Arabia, in that order.

During this visit, he also set aside time to communicate with local employees. Chairman Lee had lunch with employees at the power plant’s on-site cafeteria to hear about their working conditions and challenges. He then held a separate meeting with employees from SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION and SamsungE&A to discuss difficulties and current issues in the execution of overseas projects.

Amid growing uncertainty in local working conditions due to recent wars and geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, Chairman Lee continues to provide support for employees and their families. On the 16th, he sent gifts of encouragement and letters of appreciation to 730 employees of affiliated companies stationed in nine Middle Eastern countries—including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran—as well as their families.

He provided gift certificates worth between 3 million and 5 million won to employees working abroad, and Onnuri gift certificates worth between 2 million and 3 million won to their families residing in South Korea. In his letter, Chairman Lee stated, “I am deeply grateful for the sense of responsibility and hard work you demonstrate in your respective roles,” adding, “The company always prioritizes your safety and health above all else.”

Last March, the company also delivered gifts and letters of encouragement to approximately 500 employees and their families residing in three Middle Eastern countries—the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.