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The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) marked one year on Monday since the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant achieved full-fleet operations, generating a total of 120 terawatt-hours (TWh) of clean electricity to date.
All four APR1400 reactor units at Barakah now supply 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs, making the plant the largest source of clean power in the region and significantly boosting national energy security.
Over the past 12 months, the facility has delivered 40TWh of electricity, reliably powering homes, industries, and the nation’s technology sectors.
The plant’s output has prevented 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, and more than 58 million metric tonnes since Unit 1 began operations – equivalent to removing around 12 million cars from UAE roads.
Barakah also contributes to the UAE’s energy transition, with 75 per cent of the country’s additional clean electricity per capita over the past five years produced by the plant.
Barakah: A milestone year for operations
Mohamed Al Hammadi, MD and CEO of ENEC, said: “One year into full operations, Barakah Plant is delivering on its promise – clean, dependable power, around the clock. The achievement is due to a long-term vision, sustained investment, and a focus on high-quality execution at every stage. We’re incredibly proud of what Barakah represents for the UAE and for the global civil nuclear sector.”
Barakah supports decarbonisation efforts for UAE companies, with 85 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Certificates backed by the plant’s output. Major purchasers include ADNOC, EMSTEEL, and EGA, which recently delivered low-carbon aluminum under its MinimAL initiative.
Internationally recognised as a model for safe and efficient nuclear energy delivery, Barakah reduced cost, time, and labour by 40 per cent between Units 1 and 4, with an average delivery time of 7.9 years per reactor.
Construction began in July 2012, and with Unit 4 starting in 2015, the site became the world’s largest nuclear construction project with four identical reactors built simultaneously.
Unit 4 completed construction in December 2023 and began operations in September 2024.
The plant was developed in partnership with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) under the oversight of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and in line with IAEA and WANO standards.
The facility has also fostered a highly skilled Emirati-led workforce, with over 2,000 UAE nationals contributing to its development and operations alongside international experts.
