The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi is officially on line! It represents a significant achievement in the UAE’s strategic push toward energy security and sustainability. The plant is expected to generate 40 terawatt-hours of electricity annually once its fourth and final reactor enters commercial operation, providing 25% of the country’s electricity needs. This output, vital in the UAE’s desert climate where air conditioning is ubiquitous, is comparable to New Zealand’s annual electricity consumption.
Background: UAE’s Nuclear Power Program
The UAE’s journey toward nuclear energy began with the establishment of a comprehensive nuclear power program. This initiative, developed in close consultation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and supported by the public, set the stage for the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. In 2009, the UAE accepted a $20 billion bid from a South Korean consortium led by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to construct four commercial nuclear reactors at Barakah, with a total generating capacity of 5.6 GWe.
The project was designed to meet the UAE’s rising electricity demand, which reached 149 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2021. The country’s reliance on natural gas for 86% of its electricity generation prompted the need for diversification into nuclear energy. By 2021, 7% of the UAE’s electricity was generated by nuclear power, with 10.1 TWh produced by the Barakah plant’s initial units.
Barakah Nuclear Plant Background
The first reactor at Barakah was connected to the grid in August 2020, followed by the second in September 2021, the third in October 2022, and the fourth in March 2024. The four reactors, each based on APR-1400 pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology, were constructed between 2012 and 2024. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), established by the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, oversees the plant’s operations. The selection of South Korea’s APR-1400 technology was driven by its efficiency, competitive cost, and timely construction schedule, with each reactor producing 1,337 MWe.
Economic and Strategic Importance
The Barakah plant supports some of the UAE’s largest industrial entities, including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Emirates Steel, and Emirates Global Aluminium, enhancing the nation’s industrial capabilities while reducing its reliance on natural gas. The plant is expected to provide 25% of the UAE’s electricity at a fraction of the cost of natural gas-based power.
In addition to its immediate benefits, the Barakah project is part of the UAE’s broader energy strategy, which aims to cover 50% of the country’s energy needs with clean sources by 2050. In 2017, the UAE announced an investment of $163 billion as part of its Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which combines nuclear and renewable energy sources to meet future electricity demands.
International Cooperation and Non-Proliferation
From the outset, the UAE has positioned its nuclear program as peaceful and strictly regulated. It signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and ratified a safeguards agreement with the IAEA in 2003. The country has committed to forgoing domestic enrichment and reprocessing activities, relying instead on long-term fuel supply agreements. In 2009, the UAE and the United States signed a ‘123 Agreement’, which enables peaceful nuclear cooperation between the two nations while ensuring strict regulatory oversight.
In 2016, ENEC and KEPCO established Barakah One PJSC, a joint venture aimed at overseeing the long-term operation and maintenance of the Barakah plant. This venture ensures the plant’s efficient operation for the next 60 years, with KEPCO holding an 18% stake in the project.
Public Support and Safety
Public opinion surveys conducted in 2017 showed strong support for nuclear energy in the UAE, with 83% of respondents expressing approval for the nuclear power program. Additionally, 92% believed that the Barakah plant was being built to the highest standards of safety and quality, reflecting widespread confidence in the UAE’s commitment to nuclear safety and environmental stewardship.
Nuclear Energy in the Regional Context
The Barakah plant is part of a broader regional movement toward nuclear energy. In 2006, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, commissioned a study on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Since then, the UAE has led the way by successfully implemnting its nuclear power program in cooperation with the IAEA and international partners.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, has announced plans to develop nuclear reactors of its own. Across the Gulf, Iran operates a Russian-built nuclear plant near Bushehr and has pursued a controversial uranium enrichment program. In contrast, the UAE has consistently emphasized that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes, ruling out enrichment and reprocessing technologies.
Conclusion
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant represents a critical component of the UAE’s long-term energy strategy. As a “significant step” in the nation’s journey toward net-zero emissions, the plant underscores the UAE’s commitment to energy security, sustainability, and global leadership in clean energy development. With its completion, the UAE sets a precedent for rapid, efficient, and safe nuclear energy deployment in the region, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
