UAE President, Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol visit Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea, visited the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to mark the completion of Unit 3.

Read: Barakah nuclear energy plant’s Unit 3 now connected to UAE transmission grid

Sheikh Mohamed and President Yoon toured the Barakah Plant and witnessed the ongoing operations of Units 1 and 2, the completion of the third unit and progress made on Unit 4. The second unit commenced commercial operations in March last year.

Read: UAE: Unit 2 of Barakah nuclear energy plant starts commercial operations

Unit 2 followed the first unit which began commercial operations in April 2021.

Read: Unit 1 of UAE’s Barakah Plant starts commercial operations

Today, South Korean President Yoon and I visited the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to celebrate the completion of its Unit 3, a major milestone in one of the most significant strategic projects between our two nations and a key part of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative pic.twitter.com/rEIkBC2rlM

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) January 16, 2023

More than 50 nationalities are working at the nuclear plant, which once fully operational, will provide up to 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs without generating carbon emissions.

Sheikh Mohamed praised the efforts of the Emirati and Korean experts that have worked over the past decade to develop the plant.

“The relationship between the UAE and the Republic of Korea has been continuously strengthened through the decade-long collaboration in developing the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant,” said Sheikh Mohamed.

“In 2009, the UAE prioritised energy security while in parallel accelerating a rapid transition to cleaner energy sources through the use of civil nuclear energy.

“I am proud of the Emirati, Korean and international teams working together at Barakah, as they complete another unit to strengthen the UAE’s clean electricity portfolio and set the global benchmark for nuclear energy project delivery.”

The UAE and South Korea have had close ties for 40 years. In 2009, the UAE awarded the prime contract for the construction of the Barakah plant to Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).

In 2016, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and KEPCO signed a JV agreement to support sustainable operations of the Barakah plant over the next six decades of operations and beyond.

Read: Korea Hydro & Nuclear staff to operate Abu Dhabi’s Barakah plant

“The Barakah nuclear fleet, which has two units in operation and the other two soon to be operational, holds great, monumental significance as it represents the special strategic partnership between the UAE and the Republic of Korea,” added President Yoon Suk Yeol.

“Building on the success that we have achieved jointly as partners at Barakah and capitalising on Team Korea’s excellent nuclear technology and experience, now is the time for us to further our partnership to a greater height delivering additional cooperation in the UAE and making headway into third country nuclear markets together.

“I hope that my visit marks a watershed for our comprehensive and strategic energy partnership that would extend beyond nuclear to areas including hydrogen, renewables and carbon capture and storage.”

Read: UAE, Korea to advance strategic partnership, sign MoUs related to space, clean energy, defence sectors

Once fully operational, the nuclear energy plant will provide clean electricity to power the UAE’s industries and over half a million homes, as well as supporting the country’s strategy of becoming a net-exporter of LNG by 2030.