The UAE’s Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) yesterday announced an historic milestone for the country with the fourth unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant entering commercial operations, marking its full delivery.
This fulfils ENEC’s promise to bring clean, abundant electricity to the UAE. Barakah is one of the most successful new build nuclear projects in the past 30 years, representing a remarkable feat of engineering and teamwork, and a significant 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, said a statement.
The Barakah Plant is now generating 40TWh of electricity per year, providing up to 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity. This clean and carbon-free energy is enough to power 16 million EVs annually. This represents the largest decarbonisation effort in the UAE and the region, positioning the country ahead of its 2030 climate commitments. The 22.4m tonnes of annual carbon emissions prevented by the Barakah Plant are equivalent to removing 4.6m cars from the roads each year and contribute to achieving 24pc of the nation’s 2030 decarbonisation commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions, known as NDCs), it said.
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 because of the significant contribution that Barakah is now making to Abu Dhabi’s energy mix. Barakah’s four APR-1400 units are also playing a key role in helping UAE companies decarbonise.
Eighty-five per cent of the clean energy certificates managed by EWEC are powered by Barakah, which are used by companies such as Adnoc, EGA and Emirates Steel Arkan to produce greener products that can be sold at a premium, providing a unique competitive advantage for Abu Dhabi-based companies.
The construction of Barakah has stimulated the creation of a new advanced industry in the UAE, boosting national studies in nuclear sciences and offering educational and training opportunities for talented Emirati youth. To date, over 2,000 highly skilled Emiratis have participated in developing the plant.
This creation of know-how and intellect will be crucial for the future as, according to an IMF study, nuclear plants have a unique footprint, distributing wealth more widely across various sectors than other energy sources. During the construction phase alone, the delivery of the four units at Barakah yielded $6.7 billion (22.5bn dirhams) in local procurement, making the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program a major driver of In-Country Value.
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman 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 25pc 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.”
Mohamed Al Hammadi, managing director and chief executive 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 75pc 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 40pc improvement in schedule from start of operational readiness to commercial operations for Unit 4 compared to Unit 1.
“I congratulate all of our colleagues who have worked tirelessly to develop considerable institutional knowledge With this expertise, we are now 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.”
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