Abu Dhabi, UAE : United Arab Emirates has marked a significant achievement in its clean energy efforts with the commencement of commercial operations at Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. This milestone makes the Barakah plant the first multi-unit operational nuclear energy plant in the Arab world
Located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, the Barakah Plant now has all four units operational, contributing significantly to the country’s energy grid. The plant is expected to produce up to 5,600 megawatts of electricity, meeting around 25 percent of the UAE’s energy needs and reducing carbon emissions by millions of tons annually.
The successful operation of Unit 4 is the result of years of planning, development, and international collaboration. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has been at the forefront of this ambitious project, which aligns with the UAE’s vision for a diversified and sustainable energy mix, as outlined in the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, Board of Directors, ENEC, said that, “In 2008, the UAE’s visionary leadership took a data-led, long-term approach by issuing a comprehensive policy for the development of civil nuclear energy in the UAE to transform the nation’s energy supply.”
With the growing demand for electricity, fueled by advancements in AI, electric vehicles, and semiconductors, nuclear energy is gaining recognition for its role in providing stable, reliable clean power and supporting the decarbonization of the energy sector. The full operation of the Barakah plant positions ENEC and the UAE as leaders in fulfilling the commitment by 25 nations to triple nuclear energy capacity by the year 2050.