The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) announced a historic milestone for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the fourth unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant entering commercial operations, marking its full delivery.
The milestone aligns with ENEC’s promise to bring clean, abundant electricity to the UAE. 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 from ENEC.
The Barakah Plant is now generating 40TWh of electricity per year, nearly equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of New Zealand, and provides up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity. This clean and carbon-free energy is enough to power 16m EVs annually. The 22.4m tons 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 24% of the nation’s 2030 decarbonisation commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions, known as NDCs).
“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 realized, with one in every four electrons on the UAE grid coming from Barakah, providing up to 25% 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,” said H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, Board of Directors, ENEC.
H.E. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC added, “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% 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% improvement in schedule from start of operational readiness to commercial operations for Unit 4 compared to Unit 1,” added Hammadi.
Nasser Al Nasseri, Chief Executive Officer of Barakah One Company, ENEC’s joint venture subsidiary which oversees the financial and commercial interests of the Barakah Plant 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, Barakah will be delivering returns for the nation for generations to come.”
The commercial operations of four units of the Barakah Plant come amid the growing global recognition of the pivotal role of nuclear energy in decarbonizing the 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% annually through 2026.