The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) recently celebrated a year since the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant reached full operational capacity, having produced a total of 120 terawatt-hours (TWh) of clean electricity to date.
All four APR1400 reactor units at Barakah now fulfill 25% of the UAE’s electricity requirements, establishing the facility as the foremost source of clean energy in the region and significantly enhancing national energy security.
In the last 12 months, the plant has generated 40TWh of power, effectively supplying energy to homes, industrial sectors, and the nation’s technological industries.
The plant’s production has mitigated 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, accumulating over 58 million metric tonnes since the operation of Unit 1—equivalent to removing approximately 12 million vehicles from UAE roads.
Barakah plays a crucial role in the UAE’s energy transition, accounting for 75% of the increase in the country’s clean electricity per capita over the past five years.
Barakah: A significant operational milestone
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, remarked, “One year into full operations, the Barakah Plant is fulfilling its commitment to provide clean and reliable power continuously. This achievement is the result of a long-term vision, ongoing investment, and a commitment to excellence at each phase. We take immense pride in what Barakah signifies for the UAE and the global civil nuclear industry.”
Barakah aids in the decarbonization initiatives of UAE companies, with 85% of Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Certificates supported by the plant’s output. Notable customers include ADNOC, EMSTEEL, and EGA, which recently produced low-carbon aluminum through its MinimAL initiative.
Recognized globally as a benchmark for the safe and efficient provision of nuclear energy, Barakah has achieved a 40% reduction in costs, timelines, and labor between Units 1 and 4, with an average construction duration of 7.9 years per reactor.
Construction commenced in July 2012, and with Unit 4 beginning in 2015, the site became the largest nuclear construction project globally with four identical reactors being built concurrently.
Unit 4 was completed in December 2023 and commenced operations in September 2024.
The plant was established in collaboration with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) under the supervision of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), adhering to IAEA and WANO standards.
The facility has also cultivated a highly skilled workforce led by Emiratis, with more than 2,000 UAE nationals involved in its development and operations alongside international experts.