Second Barakah Unit Begins Commercial Operation Marking A New Phase In The Journey To Net Zero

Together with Barakah unit 1, which began commercial operation in April 2021, the output from Barakah 2 means that nuclear energy is now supplying 2800 MW to the UAE's grid supplying half of a quarter of the country's electricity needs. 

"Less than a year after starting commercial operations for unit 1 back in April 2021, we have now successfully commenced commercial operations for unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, in accordance with UAE regulatory requirements and the highest international standards of safety and quality," Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, ENEC's managing director, and CEO told World Nuclear News. 

ENEC has taken the lessons learned from unit 1 and applied them to unit 2, helping it to achieve this latest major milestone in a more efficient way while ensuring all standards continue to be met, he said.  

"Through the delivery of this milestone, we have further reinforced the UAE's energy security and our drive towards rapid decarbonization of the UAE's power sector, significantly contributing to the UAE Net-Zero by 2050 target. The Barakah plant is a sustainable powerhouse for the nation, generating clean electricity to power the UAE's economy and creating the foundation for new energy technologies such as hydrogen and synthetic fuels." 

The unit is under the regulatory oversight of the UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR). The regulator has confirmed that the plant's operator, Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), has met all regulatory requirements to reach this stage. 

"The commercial operation of unit 2 of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is a major milestone culminating immense efforts made over the past years since the establishment of the UAE Nuclear Energy Programme," FANR Director-General Christer Viktorsson said. 

UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam Almheiri said the beginning of commercial operations for Barakah 2 was a "landmark milestone" for the UAE as it continues with the rapid decarbonization of its power sector. 

"The Barakah Plant is a powerhouse of sustainability and a key enabler for our ambitious Net Zero agenda," she said. "With further units due to come online, the significance of the Barakah plant in achieving Net Zero becomes ever more apparent, with all four units due to supply 25% of the UAE's electricity, while preventing 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions annually." 

Congratulating the Arab team for their efforts, World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y Léon said, "More countries need to follow UAE's lead in building new nuclear capacity to deliver a net zero world and ensure reliable and secure energy supplies for the future." 

Construction of the first of four Korean-designed APR-1400 units at Barakah, in the Al Dhafra region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, began in 2012. When complete, it will be one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world. Units 3 and 4 are in the final stages of commissioning.