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ENEC’s Barakah nuclear plant is now fully operational: The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has commenced full commercial operations on the fourth unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, according to a statement released on Thursday. The plant — now fully operational — generates 40 TWh of electricity annually, supplying up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity.
REMEMBER- The fourth unit of ENEC’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant was connected to the national transmission grid in March to provide 1.4 GW of energy.
More details: The plant’s low-carbon output will cut annual carbon emissions by 22.4 mn tons. Its four APR-1400 reactors will also help the UAE reduce Abu Dhabi’s dependence on natural gas to a 13-year low. The project awarded USD 6.7 bn in contracts for local companies.
The UAE just launched a safety system for the plant: The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation launched the Intelligent Operational Nuclear Safety (IONS) system in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to enhance safety and resilience against climate change at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant back in July. IONS uses AI to monitor climate indicators — sea levels, air quality, earthquakes, and others — to estimate and predict their severity and impact on nuclear facilities.
And there’s more nuclear projects in the pipeline: The UAE is exploring the construction of a second nuclear power plant, sources with knowledge of the matter said in April, adding that the country aims to tender and award four reactors this year — potentially within the next few months. UAE has recently held talks with the UK, among other European countries, to explore potential investments in the continent’s nuclear power infrastructure.
