Unit 2 of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE starts its commercial operation
Following the startup of the first unit in 2020, the second unit at the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will double clean electricity generation by adding a further 1,400 MW zero-carbon emissions electricity capacity. The total produced by units 1 and 2 is now 2,800 MW. The UAE is halfway down its goal of providing 25% of its electricity needs through clean electricity whilst rapidly decarbonizing their power sector. It is also closer to reaching its Net Zero initiative by 2050.
The new unit at the Barakah nuclear power plant doubles clean electricity generation and sets the country halfway to its goal of providing 25% of its electricity needs from clean sources
As announced by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), unit 2 started commercial operations on March 24 2022. With his new reactor, the Barakah nuclear power plant, the first multi-unit operating plant in the Arab World, leads the largest decarbonization of any industry in the region.
In the words of ENEC CEO Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, this new unit demonstrates "the UAE's megaproject capabilities, building institutional knowledge to enhance delivery to the highest standards and offer a successful case study for other nations looking to diversify their energy portfolio using a proven and sustainable technology."
The Barakah nuclear power plant is the first multi-unit operating plant in the Arab World and leads the largest decarbonization of any industry in the region
There are two more units planned for the Barakah nuclear power plant. Once all four units are commercially operating, the site will produce up to 25% of the UAE's electricity needs, preventing about 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions annually (equivalent to the emissions of 4.8 million cars). By 2025, the plant will be responsible for generating more than 85% of Abu Dhabi's clean electricity, making it the biggest contributor to reducing Abu Dhabi's carbon emissions by 50% in the middle of the decade.
By 2025, the plant will be responsible for generating more than 85% of Abu Dhabi's clean electricity
Nasser Al Nasseri, CEO of Barakah One Company, ENEC's subsidiary in charge of representing the financial and commercial interests of the Barakah Plant project, said that they are "committed to efficient and reliable power generation to ensure homes, businesses and industries across the UAE have continuous access to clean baseload electricity and will do so for the coming 60 years ahead."
Units 3 and 4 are in the final stages of commissioning, with unit 3 construction already complete and now undergoing operational readiness preparations, and unit 4 in the final stages of construction completion. The development of the Barakah plant as a whole is now more than 96% complete since the start of the project in 2012.
All four units at the Barakah nuclear power plant are third-generation Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) APR1400. Each unit will produce up to 1,400 megawatts of electricity, and the reactors have an operational lifespan of 60 years, pending regulatory approval.
Barakah plant as a whole is now more than 96% complete since the start of the project in 2012
While delivering on its clean energy vision through the peaceful nuclear program, ENEC is also providing talented UAE youth with the skills, capabilities and experience necessary to become the future leaders of the nation’s growing peaceful nuclear energy sector.
