Unit 2 adds a further 1,400 MW zero-carbon emissions electricity capacity to the UAE’s transmission grid
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) recently announced the start of commercial operations of Unit 2 at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.
Unit 2 adds 1,400 megawatts of zero-carbon emission electricity to the national grid, bringing the total produced by Units 1 and 2 to 2,800 megawatts and further securing energy supply and advancing the UAE’s sustainability goals.
This new milestone takes ENEC and its subsidiaries to the halfway mark of delivering on its commitment to supply up to a quarter of the country’s electricity needs, reliably powering the economy by generating clean electricity 24/7 and significantly contributing to the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative.
The start of commercial operations at Unit 2 doubles the Barakah Plant’s generation of emissions-free electricity, enabling rapid decarbonization of the UAE’s power sector in pursuit of Net Zero 2050.
Diversifying energy resources
While increasingly supporting the country’s strategy to diversify energy sources in a shift towards cleaner energy, ENEC is also spearheading the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative by preventing millions of tons of carbon emissions and helping to tackle climate change, delivering climate solutions today.
When its four units are commercially operating, the Barakah Plant will produce up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs and will prevent about 22.4mn tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions of 4.8mn cars.
The Barakah Plant significantly boosts the UAE’s energy security through domestic clean electricity generation. By 2025, the Plant will be responsible for generating more than 85% of Abu Dhabi Emirate’s clean electricity making it the biggest contributor to reducing Abu Dhabi’s carbon emissions by 50% by the middle of the decade.
“The sale of electricity further supports Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Certification program, allowing more businesses to demonstrate the sustainability credentials and stimulating the growth of our Net Zero economy,” remarked Nasser Al Nasseri, CEO, Barakah One Company, ENEC’s subsidiary in charge of representing the financial and commercial interests of the Barakah Plant project.
The commercial operations of Unit 2 were completed with the continuous support of EWEC and the Abu Dhabi Transmission and Dispatch Company (TRANSCO) who ensure that the clean electricity generated at Barakah is delivered to consumers across the UAE in a safe and sustainable manner.
World-class experience
“The start of Unit 2 commercial operations comes as a result of the world-class operating experience of our teams made up of UAE Nationals and international experts,” commented Engineer Ali Al Hammadi, CEO, Nawah Energy Company, ENEC’s subsidiary mandated to operate and maintain the Barakah Plant.
Unit 2 joins Unit 1, which achieved commercial operation in April 2021. Units 3 and 4 are in the final stages of commissioning, with Unit 3 construction already complete and now undergoing operational readiness preparations, and Unit 4 in the final stages of construction completion.
The development of the Barakah Plant as a whole is now more than 96% complete, having steadily progressed since construction started in 2012. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, located in the Al Dhafra region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is one of the largest nuclear energy plants in the world, with four APR-1400 units.
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