This nuclear plant is a step closer to supplying 25% of the UAE’s power

Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. (Supplied)

Work on the fourth unit of the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has been completed, bringing the facility one step closer to generating 25% of the country’s electricity needs for the next 60 years.

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) announced on Tuesday that Nawah Energy Company has completed the process of loading fuel assemblies into Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, after it met all national regulations and the highest international standards.

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, also recently issued an operating licence for Unit 4 to Nawah. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is located approximately 53 km west-southwest of the city of Ruwais.

Construction of the plant commenced in July 2012, following the receipt of a construction licence from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and a No Objection Certificate from Abu Dhabi’s environmental regulator, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).

The Barakah plant is an important part of the UAE’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, and will provide clean and efficient energy to homes, businesses and government facilities while reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. When fully operational, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is expected to prevent up to 22 million tons of carbon emissions every year, equivalent to removing 4.8 million cars from the roads.

Currently, there are three commercially operating Units at Barakah, which have all been switched on over the last three consecutive years. These three units alone are already generating more than 30TWh of zero-emission electricity every year. But Unit 4 will raise the Barakah Plant’s total clean electricity generation capacity to 5.6GW, delivering more than 40TWh of clean electricity per year, once commercial operations begin.

According to a statement released by ENEC, the operations team will safely progress through a comprehensive testing programme prior to completing the start-up of Unit 4. Testing oversight will also be undertaken by FANR.

“Once Unit 4 is connected to the national electricity grid, the operations team will continue to gradually raise power levels, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT). The phase will be continuously monitored and tested until maximum electricity production is reached, while adhering to all regulatory requirements and the highest international standards of safety, quality and security,” read a statement on the WAM news service.

“The Barakah Plant, a pivotal player in the international nuclear energy sector, boasts four APR-1400 units, marking it as one of the largest nuclear energy facilities globally. The plant is instrumental in the UAE’s clean energy transition and its ambitious goal of Net Zero by 2050,” the statement added.