UAE: Final unit of Barakah nuclear plant now connected to country's power grid

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) today announced that its operations and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company, has safely and successfully connected Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to the UAE's transmission grid.

Grid connection signifies the delivery of the first megawatts of carbon-free electricity from the fourth reactor of the nuclear energy plant, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's clean energy transition and journey towards Net Zero by 2050.

Unit 4 will add another 1,400 megawatts of clean electricity capacity to power the national grid, representing another significant step forward towards full-fleet operations, further supporting the UAE's efforts in enhancing grid stability and energy security through abundant around-the-clock zero-emissions electricity.

The Nawah teams at Barakah have worked closely with the Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PSJC (TAQA), who constructed the overhead lines to connect the Barakah Plant to the Abu Dhabi grid – ensuring the power generated at Barakah is safely, securely and reliably delivered to consumers across the country.Grid connection of Unit 4 solidifies the Barakah Plant's position as the cornerstone of the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy, contributing significantly to the nation's clean energy portfolio.

It not only propels the UAE towards achieving its ambitious climate goals but also positions the country as a leader in nuclear energy and decarbonisation.

The operational readiness of all four units underscores the UAE's commitment to diversifying its energy sources, ensuring the reliability and sustainability of its energy sector for the next six decades.

Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said: "We are proud to have achieved another critical milestone for the Barakah Plant, which stands as a testament to the UAE's leadership in the development of large-scale multi-unit nuclear fleets. Grid connection of Unit 4 puts us well on the path to full-fleet commercial operations, and with that, the ability to generate 40TWh of clean, baseload electricity annually to drive our Net Zero economy, offering a competitive edge to many businesses, decarbonising hard-to-abate industries, while presenting a global benchmark for the entire nuclear energy industry."

The fourth unit is nearing the start of commercial operations. Following grid connection, Unit 4 will undergo the process of gradually raising power levels, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT).