Meanwhile, nuclear energy will be coming to the Gulf very soon if all goes according to plan. The UAE is already building the world's largest nuclear plant. Jacob Greaves reports from the World Energy Congress in Abu Dhabi on what that means for the region's energy sector.

When the UAE's Barakah facility comes online it's set to be the Arab world's first nuclear plant. It's proving a talking point here at the World Energy Congress. But it's already suffered setbacks. Its operating license is still under review and problems training enough local staff have delayed the start-up of its first reactor. Highlighting some of hurdles to overcome in bringing nuclear to the Gulf.

AGNETA RISING, DIRECTOR GENERAL WORLD NUCLEAR ASSOC. "There's some challenges, that means that you need to build infrastructure, you need to build the knowledge base so you have some competence and you need to build for instance regulator and all kinds of other infrastructure, but that's not a very hard thing to do, that's good advice."

When complete Barakah could be a game-changer, shifting the energy mix of a country reliant on fossil fuels.

JACOB GREAVES ABU DHABI "Whilst the UAE's first nuclear power plant might be a regional milestone, its unlikely to be the last. Saudi Arabia's new energy minister has been speaking here about the kingdoms planned nuclear programme, he envisages it involving uranium production and enrichment and beginning with two atomic reactors."

That enrichment could prove controversial, potentially opening up the possibility of military uses for uranium. Possible uranium enrichment has been a sticking point with the U.S. in ongoing talks over an atomic pact. Saudi Arabia is expected to issue a tender in 2020. With firms from America, China, Russia, South Korea and France involved in preliminary discussions about the multi-billion dollar project.

JIN RU BUSINESS EXECUTIVE CHINA NUCLEAR ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CORP. "Saudi Arabia and the UAE they are increasingly invested in the green energy sector and nuclear technology, at China national nuclear corporation we see this as an opportunity for us to expand into the Middle eastern market, nuclear power technology is one of the keystone technological exports of China in the coming decade and in the future as well."

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia cite sustainability and CO2 reduction as reasons for pursuing nuclear technology. But the region has seen heightened tensions in recent months amid a flare-up with Iran, I put the issue of safety and security to the UAE's Energy Minister.

SUHAIL AL-MAZROUEI UAE ENERGY & INDUSTRY MINISTER "We believe this plant is becoming the safest and a new benchmark."

That statement of intent will soon be put to the test. The UAE's first nuclear plant is now set to come online between late 2019 and early 2020, Jacob Greaves, CGTN, Abu Dhabi.