emirates7 - The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has announced a historic milestone for the UAE with the commencement of commercial operations of Unit 4 at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, marking the plant’s full delivery. This achievement fulfills ENEC’s commitment to providing clean and abundant electricity to the UAE.
Barakah stands out as one of the most successful new-build nuclear projects of the past 30 years, showcasing exceptional engineering and teamwork. The plant has been developed in line with the UAE’s 2008 policy on nuclear energy, adhering to the highest standards of safety, security, and transparency.
The Barakah Plant is now generating 40 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually—equivalent to New Zealand’s yearly consumption—and supplies up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs. This clean, carbon-free energy is sufficient to power 16 million electric vehicles (EVs) annually, representing the UAE’s most significant decarbonization effort and positioning the country ahead of its 2030 climate targets.
By preventing 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions each year, the Barakah Plant effectively removes 4.6 million cars from the roads and helps meet 24% of the nation’s 2030 decarbonization goals (Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs).
Economically, Barakah is delivering substantial benefits. Despite rising demand, Abu Dhabi’s consumption of natural gas for power generation is at a 13-year low, thanks to Barakah’s significant contribution to the energy mix. The plant’s four APR-1400 units are also instrumental in helping UAE companies decarbonize. For example, 85% of the clean energy certificates managed by EWEC are powered by Barakah, which companies like ADNOC, EGA, and Emirates Steel Arkan use to produce greener products with a premium market advantage.
The construction of Barakah has spurred the development of a new advanced industry in the UAE, enhancing national expertise in nuclear sciences and providing educational and training opportunities for Emirati youth. To date, over 2,000 highly skilled Emiratis have been involved in the plant’s development. This creation of knowledge and expertise is vital for the future, as nuclear plants contribute to wealth distribution across various sectors more than other energy sources.
The Barakah project generated $6.7 billion (AED 22.5 billion) in local procurement during its construction phase, reinforcing the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program as a significant driver of in-country value.
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of ENEC’s Board of Directors, remarked, “In 2008, the UAE's visionary leadership took a data-driven, long-term approach by issuing a comprehensive policy for civil nuclear energy development. With Unit 4 now in commercial operation, that vision is realized, with one in every four electrons on the UAE grid coming from Barakah. This positions the nation as a global leader in civil nuclear development and attracts sustainable investment.”
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, expressed pride in the achievement and noted, "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 underscores the right decision to integrate nuclear energy into our power mix, boosting energy security and establishing the UAE as a regional leader."
Nasser Al Nasseri, CEO of Barakah One Company, ENEC’s joint venture subsidiary overseeing Barakah’s financial and commercial interests, emphasized the stability and efficiency of the power provided by the plant, noting its role in supporting the UAE’s energy sector and consumers.
Eng. Ali Al Hammadi, CEO of Nawah Energy Company, ENEC’s subsidiary responsible for operating and maintaining the Barakah Plant, highlighted the rigorous safety and regulatory inspections that have ensured operational excellence. He praised Barakah as a global case study in nuclear energy.
The commercial operation of Barakah’s four units comes as global recognition grows for nuclear energy's role in decarbonizing energy systems and achieving Net Zero. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts a rise in global electricity demand, and Barakah’s full delivery establishes ENEC and the UAE as leaders in the commitment to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
Barakah stands out as one of the most successful new-build nuclear projects of the past 30 years, showcasing exceptional engineering and teamwork. The plant has been developed in line with the UAE’s 2008 policy on nuclear energy, adhering to the highest standards of safety, security, and transparency.
The Barakah Plant is now generating 40 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually—equivalent to New Zealand’s yearly consumption—and supplies up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs. This clean, carbon-free energy is sufficient to power 16 million electric vehicles (EVs) annually, representing the UAE’s most significant decarbonization effort and positioning the country ahead of its 2030 climate targets.
By preventing 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions each year, the Barakah Plant effectively removes 4.6 million cars from the roads and helps meet 24% of the nation’s 2030 decarbonization goals (Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs).
Economically, Barakah is delivering substantial benefits. Despite rising demand, Abu Dhabi’s consumption of natural gas for power generation is at a 13-year low, thanks to Barakah’s significant contribution to the energy mix. The plant’s four APR-1400 units are also instrumental in helping UAE companies decarbonize. For example, 85% of the clean energy certificates managed by EWEC are powered by Barakah, which companies like ADNOC, EGA, and Emirates Steel Arkan use to produce greener products with a premium market advantage.
The construction of Barakah has spurred the development of a new advanced industry in the UAE, enhancing national expertise in nuclear sciences and providing educational and training opportunities for Emirati youth. To date, over 2,000 highly skilled Emiratis have been involved in the plant’s development. This creation of knowledge and expertise is vital for the future, as nuclear plants contribute to wealth distribution across various sectors more than other energy sources.
The Barakah project generated $6.7 billion (AED 22.5 billion) in local procurement during its construction phase, reinforcing the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program as a significant driver of in-country value.
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of ENEC’s Board of Directors, remarked, “In 2008, the UAE's visionary leadership took a data-driven, long-term approach by issuing a comprehensive policy for civil nuclear energy development. With Unit 4 now in commercial operation, that vision is realized, with one in every four electrons on the UAE grid coming from Barakah. This positions the nation as a global leader in civil nuclear development and attracts sustainable investment.”
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, expressed pride in the achievement and noted, "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 underscores the right decision to integrate nuclear energy into our power mix, boosting energy security and establishing the UAE as a regional leader."
Nasser Al Nasseri, CEO of Barakah One Company, ENEC’s joint venture subsidiary overseeing Barakah’s financial and commercial interests, emphasized the stability and efficiency of the power provided by the plant, noting its role in supporting the UAE’s energy sector and consumers.
Eng. Ali Al Hammadi, CEO of Nawah Energy Company, ENEC’s subsidiary responsible for operating and maintaining the Barakah Plant, highlighted the rigorous safety and regulatory inspections that have ensured operational excellence. He praised Barakah as a global case study in nuclear energy.
The commercial operation of Barakah’s four units comes as global recognition grows for nuclear energy's role in decarbonizing energy systems and achieving Net Zero. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts a rise in global electricity demand, and Barakah’s full delivery establishes ENEC and the UAE as leaders in the commitment to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.