The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has announced a historic milestone for the UAE with Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant entering commercial operations. This fulfils ENEC’s promise to bring clean, abundant electricity to the UAE.
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is one of the most successful new nuclear projects in the past 30 years, marking a remarkable engineering achievement for the nation. The plant has been delivered in accordance with the UAE’s 2008 policy commitments for nuclear energy development, meeting the highest standards of safety, security and transparency.
“In 2008, the UAE’s visionary leadership took a data-led, long-term approach by issuing a comprehensive policy for the development of civil nuclear energy in the UAE to transform the nation’s energy supply,” stated Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman, board of directors, ENEC.
The plant is now generating 40TWh of electricity per year. That is nearly the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of New Zealand. The plant now provides up to 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity. This clean and carbon-free energy is enough to power 16 million EVs annually.
Plant bolsters decarbonization efforts
The launch of the plant represents the largest decarbonization effort in the UAE and the region. Moreover, it positions the country ahead of its 2030 climate commitments. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant prevents 22.4 million tons of annual carbon emissions, equivalent to removing 4.6 million cars from the roads each year. Moreover, it contributes to achieving 24 percent of the nation’s 2030 decarbonization commitments.
“Today, the UAE has added more clean electricity per capita in the past five years than any other nation, with 75 percent of this coming from Barakah,” stated Mohamed Al Hammadi, managing director and CEO of ENEC.
Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is also delivering a wide range of economic benefits for the UAE. Despite growing demand, consumption of natural gas for power generation reached a 13-year low in Abu Dhabi because of the significant contribution that Barakah is now making to Abu Dhabi’s energy mix.
Barakah’s four APR-1400 units also play a key role in helping UAE companies decarbonize. Currently, the plant powers 85 percent of the clean energy certificates managed by EWEC, providing a unique competitive advantage for Abu Dhabi-based companies.
“This clearly demonstrates that integrating nuclear energy into the UAE power’s mix and alongside growing renewable energy sources was the right decision, boosting energy security and establishing the UAE as a regional leader in this growing sector,” added Al Hammadi.
Nuclear science advancements
The construction of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has also stimulated the creation of a new cutting-edge industry in the UAE. The plant’s operation is boosting national studies in nuclear sciences and offering educational and training opportunities for Emirati youth.
To date, over 2,000 highly skilled Emiratis have participated in the development of the plant. During the construction phase alone, the delivery of the four units at Barakah yielded $6.7 billion (AED22.5 billion) in local procurement, making the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program a major driver of in-country value.
Nuclear energy key to achieving net zero
The commercial operations of four units of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant come amid the growing global recognition of the pivotal role of nuclear energy in decarbonizing energy systems and achieving net zero. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that global electricity demand will rise at a faster rate over the next three years, growing by an average of 3.4 percent annually through 2026.
At COP28, 25 nations, including the UAE, launched a pledge to work on tripling global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. With the rising demand for electricity, the stable and reliable clean electricity that nuclear provides is increasingly recognized for its role in decarbonizing the energy sector. Therefore, the full delivery of Barakah firmly places ENEC and the UAE as frontrunners for their contributions to the pledge by the 25 nations to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
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