The second part of United Arab Emirates’ only nuclear unit has started operation, UAE leaders announced on Twitter on Friday.
The second nuclear unit of United Arab Emirates’ only power plant has started operation, UAE leaders announced on Twitter on Friday.
“Operation started at Unit 2 at the Barakah nuclear energy plant,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s representative in the western region of Abu Dhabi. “This is a new achievement in the energy sector that reflects UAE’s ability to develop strategic mega projects and its commitment to sustainability and economic growth.”
The Barakah nuclear power plant in the Abu Dhabi emirate is the first nuclear power station in the Arab world and part of the oil producing state’s efforts to diversify its energy mix.
The first unit of the plant started commercial operations in April. Unit 2 was issued an operating licence in March this year.
When completed Barakah, which is being built by Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO), will have four reactors with 5,600 megawatts (MW) of total capacity – equivalent to around 25% of the UAE’s peak demand.
The Barakah nuclear power plant, which was being built by a consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Corporation, consists of four APR-1400 units. Construction of the plant began in 2012. Unit 2 has now completed the fuel loading process. It is working through all of the required processes prior to start-up, which was scheduled for later this year. Construction of units 3 and 4 are 94% and 89% complete, respectively.
Barakah One Company is UAE Company, ENEC’s subsidiary in charge of the financial and commercial activities of the Barakah project, signed a power purchase agreement with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company in 2016 to purchase all electricity generated at the plant for the next 60 years.
Source Reuters