Unit 3 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant starts commercial operations

Gulf Today Report

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) announced that its operating and maintenance subsidiary Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), has commenced commercial operations of Unit 3 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi.

As the third unit to be delivered in three consecutive years, this major accomplishment adds a further 1,400 megawatts (MW) of zero-carbon emission electricity capacity, boosting total production from Units 1, 2 and 3 of Barakah up to 4,200MW of baseload, reliable, clean electricity for the UAE national grid.

Unit 3 of the Barakah Plant has completed the process from Fuel Load to Commercial Operations more than four months faster than Unit 2 and more than five months faster than Unit 1. This demonstrates how the operations teams utilised and implemented the experience gained from the previous two units, while adhering to all national regulations and international standards, as confirmed by assessments of the UAE regulator FANR and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).

Unit 3 has been delivered efficiently and in one of the shortest time-frames compared to other third-generation reactors built worldwide, demonstrating a new era fornuclear new-build.

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Playing a significant role in the UAE's clean energy transition, ENEC and its subsidiaries are now one unit away from completing the four-unit Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant and realising its commitment to deliver up to 25 per cent of the UAE's electricity demands.

The first multi-unit operating plant in the Arab World, Barakah, has already powered more than 80 per cent of Abu Dhabi emirate's clean electricity consumption in December 2022.

Mariam Almheiri praises landmark feat

Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, has said that the start of commercial operations for Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant marks another accomplishment in generating abundant clean electricity to the national grid and preventing millions of tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Almheiri commented on the UAE’s efforts in tackling climate change and promoting sustainable economic development as the country celebrates a new milestone in support of its Net Zero 2050 targets.

She stated, "The world faces its most critical time in history with the impacts of climate change becoming increasingly more evident every year. Electricity generation is the biggest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions, making the transition to clean energy sources essential in the battle with global warming.

 Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment.

"Nuclear energy has a proven global track record of rapidly decarbonising the economy, improving air quality and contributing positively to sustainability in crucial sectors like food, agriculture and water. Today, more than ever before, clean energy projects like the Barakah Plant are making a real and sustainable difference.

"With the UAE set to host COP28 later this year during the Year of Sustainability, we have the opportunity to showcase the crucial role nuclear energy plays both globally and here in the UAE, in generating emissions-free baseload electricity that underpins the use of renewable energy, providing the ‘always on’ capacity we need to grow the net zero economy.

"It is imperative that we utilise all forms of clean energy to cut carbon emissions and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. The UAE’s approach is showing tangible benefit, with over 5.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions removed for every unit brought into commercial operation at the Barakah plant.

"Set to mitigate 22.4 million tonnes of emissions annually by 2025 and delivering 25% of the UAE’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), we look forward to showing the world at COP28 how the UAE’s data-led approach over a decade ago is benefitting not just our environment, but our energy security.

"Now, as the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) moves into exploring clean molecules production, such as clean hydrogen and ammonia, as well as advanced nuclear technologies, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), the UAE Programme continues to offer a global benchmark for rapid decarbonisation for other nations to follow.”

Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said, "In the Year of Sustainability for the UAE, we are proud to take the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme another step forward with Unit 3 beginning commercial operations. This has been achieved less than a year after successfully starting commercial operations for Unit 2. Barakah is a successful global benchmark for other nations looking to diversify their energy portfolio during a time of international energy crises.

"With three units now operating commercially, we are delivering energy security, powering sustainable economic growth, driving innovation, and contributing to achieving our Net Zero strategy by 2050. We look forward to showcasing just how critical nuclear is in tackling climate change, using proven solutions available today, at COP28 in the UAE in November."