Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has announced the start of commercial operations for Unit 4 at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, marking its full delivery.
The milestone fulfils ENEC’s strategy to bring clean, abundant electricity to the UAE. The plant has been delivered in line with the UAE’s 2008 policy commitments for nuclear energy development meeting the highest standards of safety, security and transparency.
The Barakah Plant is now generating 40TWh of electricity per year, providing up to 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity, clean and carbon-free. This represents the largest decarbonisation effort in the UAE and the region, supporting the country’s 2030 climate commitments. The 22.4 million tonnes of annual carbon emissions prevented by the Barakah Plant are equivalent to removing 4.8 million cars from the roads each year and contribute to achieving 24 per cent of the nation’s 2030 decarbonisation commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions, known as NDCs).
Barakah is also delivering wide-ranging economic benefits. Despite growing demand consumption of natural gas for power generation is at a 13-year low in Abu Dhabi due to the significant contribution Barakah is making as part of Abu Dhabi’s energy mix. Barakah’s four APR-1400 units are also playing a key role in helping UAE companies decarbonise 85 per cent of the clean energy certificates supplied by EWEC are powered by Barakah, which are being used by companies such as ADNOC, EGA and Emirates Steel Arkan to produce cleaner products that can be sold at a premium, providing unique competitive advantage for Abu Dhabi based companies.
The construction of Barakah has stimulated the creation of an entirely new advanced industry in the UAE boosting national studies in nuclear sciences and offering educational and training opportunities for talented Emirati youth. To date, more than 2,000 highly skilled Emiratis have participated in developing the plant, and US$6.7 billion (AED22.5 billion) has been awarded in contracts for local companies enhancing In-Country Value.
His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ENEC, said: "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. As Unit 4 of Barakah enters commercial operations, that vision has been realised, with one in every four electrons on the UAE grid coming from Barakah providing up to 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs, and positioning the nation as a leader in civil nuclear development globally. This source of clean electricity will act as a magnet, attracting additional investment in the UAE by sustainably-minded but, energy intensive industries from around the globe."
His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said: "We are enormously proud of this monumental achievement for UAE, and are grateful for the continuous support of the UAE leadership, as we usher in a new era of clean energy for the country. Today, the UAE has added more clean electricity per capita in the past five years than any other nation, with 75 per cent of this coming from Barakah. 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.
"Barakah is making a positive impact on the lives of every person in the UAE through the clean electricity we generate around the clock. The Barakah nuclear energy plant offers a new model for the world and demonstrates that nuclear energy is bankable and can be delivered efficiently, with our units coming online within eight years from first concrete pour to fuel load and achieving a 40 per cent improvement in schedule from operational readiness to commercial operations from Unit 1 to Unit 4.
"I congratulate all of our colleagues who have worked tirelessly to develop considerable institutional knowledge. With the expertise we now have, we are well-positioned to advance to the next era of growth and fulfil the broader mission of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program. ENEC is poised to partner, develop, invest in and advocate for more new nuclear projects in the UAE and overseas."
Nasser Al Nasseri, Chief Executive Officer of Barakah One Company, said: "Today, the Barakah Plant is generating a quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs in a reliable and efficient manner, providing a stable pipeline of power for the next 60 years. The certainty of power output and the inherent low volatility of pricing afforded by the Barakah Plant offers a strong foundation upon which to build and grow, both for the UAE power sector and for consumers, highlighting one of the key benefits of modern nuclear energy plants. Combined with one of the highest energy-returns-on-investment rates of any energy form, we expect that Barakah will be delivering returns for the nation for generations to come."
Ali Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Nawah Energy Company, said: "This is a historic milestone for us as Unit 4 joins our other units in commercially operating, generating clean and reliable electricity for the nation. We are committed to ensuring that safety and compliance with UAE’s strict regulations and high standards remains our top priority, with Nawah fully focused on safe and reliable operations and maintenance in pursuit of operational excellence. Barakah and our teams have undergone over 496 inspections from the UAE’s independent regulator, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), over 84 World Association for Nuclear Operators (WANO) reviews and 15 missions from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), demonstrating our commitment to the highest standards. This reflects our endless pursuit of operational excellence in accordance with both local regulations and global safety standards. Barakah is now a successful global case study in the nuclear energy industry, and I commend all who have contributed to this journey."
The commercial operations of four units of the Barakah Plant come amid the growing global recognition of the pivotal role of nuclear energy in decarbonising energy systems and achieving Net Zero. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that global electricity demand is expected to rise at a faster rate over the next three years, growing by an average of 3.4 per cent annually through 2026.
At COP28, 25 nations, including the UAE, launched a pledge to work to triple nuclear energy globally by 2050. With rising demand for electricity, driven partly due to artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs) and semiconductors, the stable and reliable clean energy provided by nuclear is increasingly recognised for its role in decarbonising the energy sector. The announcement aims to place ENEC and the UAE as a frontrunner for their contributions to the pledge made by 25 nations for tripling global nuclear energy capacity by 2050, which will be essential to meet the demand for clean electricity.
As the first operational multi-unit nuclear energy plant in the Middle East region, Barakah also stands as a model of what can be achieved when data-driven and forward-looking energy policy, investment and leadership support are combined with a clear commitment to engage with and learn from the international community. More than 100 MoUs with 14 nations have been signed and the unique expertise and know-how in developing national civil nuclear programmes, and nuclear units in eight years positions ENEC to accelerate nuclear energy deployment in the UAE and beyond.
