UAE: Barakah nuclear plant's Unit 3 begins commercial operations

The third reactor of the UAE's Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has started its commercial operations, it was announced on Friday. This means more clean, emissions-free electricity is now being delivered to homes and offices in the country.

This major accomplishment adds 1,400 megawatts (MW) of zero-carbon-emission electricity, boosting Barakah's total production to 4,200MW for the UAE national grid.

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

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. It is the third unit delivered in three consecutive years.

This shows how the operations teams utilised the experience and learnings from running 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 for nuclear new-build.

“The commercial operation of Unit 3 of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is another major achievement which is the result of significant efforts made over the past years since the establishment of the UAE Nuclear Energy Programme. During that period, FANR reviewed the nuclear power plant in terms of site selection, construction, testing and finally operation to ensure the operator complies with all regulatory requirements to ensure the safety of the public and the environment,” said Christer Viktorsson, Director-General, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).

Since issuing the operating licence in June last year for Unit 3, the FANR has continued its regulatory oversight: starting with fuel loading, testing, the criticality phase, connecting the unit to the UAE national electricity transmission grid until the plant is ready for full commercial operation.

FANR confirmed that Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), the operator, has met all regulatory requirements to initiate this important phase. The milestone follows extensive oversight, including regular inspection and oversight, to ensure the safety and security of the nuclear power plant.

One unit away from completion

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 percent of the UAE's electricity demands.

Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, managing director and CEO 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."

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