Abu dhabi: The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) today celebrates one year since the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant reached full-fleet operations, marking a significant milestone in the UAE's energy sector. All four APR1400 reactor units at the plant are collectively generating 25% of the UAE's electricity needs, thereby enhancing the country's baseload electricity production and bolstering national energy security and sustainability.
According to Emirates News Agency, over the past year, the Barakah Plant has generated 40 terawatt-hours (TWh) of clean electricity. This reliable power source has been instrumental in powering the nation's technology sectors, industries, and homes. Since the commencement of Unit 1 operations, the plant has produced over 120TWh, equivalent to the annual power demand of New York City. As the region's largest source of clean power, Barakah plays a critical role in decarbonizing the UAE's power sector.
The Barakah Plant is internationally recognized for its efficient and timely development, representing one of the most successful new nuclear builds in recent history. The project demonstrates that large-scale civil nuclear projects can be delivered safely and transparently, achieving a 40% reduction in cost, time, and labor between the completion of Units 1 and 4.
Barakah serves as a global case study for new build nuclear energy plants, with an average delivery time of 7.9 years per unit. Construction began in July 2012, and with the initiation of Unit 4 construction in 2015, Barakah became the world's largest nuclear energy construction site with four identical reactors. The construction of Unit 4 was finalized in December 2023, with operations commencing in September 2024.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, stated, "One year into full operations, Barakah Plant is delivering on its promise - clean, dependable power, around the clock. The achievement is due to a long-term vision, sustained investment, and a focus on high-quality execution at every stage. We're incredibly proud of what Barakah represents for the UAE and for the global civil nuclear sector, and we are now leveraging this expertise through international partnerships to help other nations and companies realize the pivotal role of civil nuclear energy in meeting the growing demand of electricity."
In addition to its electricity generation, Barakah has made significant contributions to the UAE's energy transition, preventing 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions annually. Since the start of Unit 1 operations, over 58 million metric tons of carbon emissions have been avoided, equivalent to removing around 12 million cars from the roads. Over the last five years, the UAE has added more clean electricity per capita than any other nation, with 75% of this clean electricity produced by the Barakah Plant.
Barakah is also instrumental in helping UAE companies decarbonize. A substantial portion of Abu Dhabi's Clean Energy Certificates is backed by Barakah's output, which companies such as ADNOC, EMSTEEL, and EGA use to certify their products as low-carbon. This includes EGA's recent introduction of its first low carbon aluminum, MinimAL.
The Barakah Plant was developed in collaboration with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), under the supervision of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and in compliance with international standards set by the IAEA and WANO. The project has been pivotal in establishing a skilled Emirati-led nuclear workforce, with over 2,000 UAE Nationals working on the plant's development and operations alongside international experts.