The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started generating clean electricity from its Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. The country’s Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) announced that Unit One of the plant had begun commercial operations.
“The UAE has entered a historic new era of clean electricity production. Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has started commercial operations; a first for the Arab World – a source of clean electricity, and pride for our Nation.” ENEC said.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, applauded this achievement, describing it as a significant milestone in the UAE’s long-term roadmap for sustainable, knowledge-based economic prosperity, benefiting many generations to come.
This game-changing moment means that the first unit of the Barakah plant is now delivering thousands of megawatts of emissions-free electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a life span of at least 60 years. This is only set to grow, with three more units well on their way to generate clean electricity in the coming years.
Expected to power up to 25% of UAE’s electricity requirements, this will support the country’s ambitious projects and make giant strides in meeting its climate change goals and becoming a global clean energy leader.
To connect Barakah to the UAE grid, Abu Dhabi Transmission & Despatch Company (TRANSCO) completed a total of 952 km of overhead transmission lines.
Saving the Environment
“Our investment in pioneering technologies and the decarbonization of our electricity production not only advances the UAE’s clean energy leadership but also produces tangible socioeconomic and environmental benefits. We congratulate all of our partners as we continue to support the prosperity and sustainable growth of our country”, underlined Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of ENEC.
The start of commercial operations signifies a major advancement in the UAE’s commitment to decarbonization and its efforts to combat global climate change.
As the UAE population grows, developing new economic and industrial sectors, the need for energy grows too. The Barakah Plant provides clean electricity to keep homes, schools and businesses running while still protecting the precious and unique ecosystems.
Beyond the stringent environmental assessments undertaken prior to issuing the environmental permits, The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has collaborated on the rehoming of 7,300 coral reef settlements, and re-growing 22,300 coral reefs 17 kilometers north of the Barakah plant.
Powering the UAE’s Engine of Growth
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant enables the prosperity of communities, and delivers significant economic, social and environmental benefits.
Barakah Unit 1 Commercial Operations is the result of more than a decade of effort by the Emirati-led, multinational teams to deliver on the UAE’s clean energy vision and is now the largest single generator of electricity in the country.
The plant is an agent of positive change – delivering clean electricity, making great strides to tackle climate change, create jobs and support industries, promoting R&D and technological advancement.
The Chairman of ENEC stressed that UAE set a clear roadmap with solid principles to ensure this project’s development in accordance with the highest international industry standards of safety and quality with full transparency.
The positive success story of the Barakah Plant was achieved through a team effort through partnerships and a multitude of organizations working together. ENEC’s cooperation and collaboration with all partners and stakeholders was instrumental for the delivery of a world-class nuclear program that is a proud venture of the UAE.
When completed Barakah’s four units will produce 5,600 MW of electricity which is enough to fully power over 570,000 homes each year and prevent the release of 21 million tons of co2 emissions.
To allow the commencement of the project, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has conducted more than 312 inspections and reviews at Barakah to ensure the plant meets all regulatory requirements.
FANR reviewed the 15,000+ pages of the Operating License Application before granting the operating licenses to Unit 1 in 2020 and Unit 2 in 2021.
Barakah plant also fulfilled international standards where 42 reviews have been completed by international bodies like the World Association of Nuclear Operations (WANO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).