The UAE is committed to diversifying its energy source and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels to secure energy, which is one of the works of the Barakah plant.
On Thursday, the oil-rich United Arab Emirates (UAE) declared the completion of the first nuclear plant in the Arab world, marking it a significant milestone in the nation’s energy landscape.
The state-owned Emirates Nuclear Corporation (ENEC) hailed the achievement, stating that the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, situated in Abu Dhabi, is now fully operational with its fourth and final reactor. This plant is set to generate 40 terawatt hours of electricity annually and will account for 25% of the total electricity needs of the UAE, especially in a nation where air conditioning is a crucial element due to the scorching desert climate.
According to ENEC, this almost amounts to the annual electricity consumption of New Zealand, which is a significant comparison that highlights the scale of this project.
In addition to powering houses, it will power significant industries, including steel, aluminum, and oil production.
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is located 52 km to the west-southwest of the city of Ruwais, within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on the Arabian Gulf. Barakah, which also means blessing in Arabic, began operations in 2020 with the commissioning of its first four reactors.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, celebrated the completion of Barakah as a significant step on the journey towards net zero.
The UAE is committed to diversifying its energy source and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels to secure energy, which is one of the works of the Barakah plant. According to ENEC, it is also a significant step towards the UAE’s goal of using renewable energy to provide half its electrical demands by 2050. This nuclear plant, which forms the nation’s growing investments in solar energy, is the backbone of that ambitious vision.
According to a post in X, the president of Emirati states that energy security and sustainability will remain a top priority for the benefit of the country and the citizens of today and tomorrow.
According to ENEC, the station would supply energy to businesses including, Emirates Steel, Emirates Global Aluminum, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the largest oil producers in the world.
The leading oil exporter in the world, Saudi Arabia, has also declared its intention to construct nuclear reactors.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the facility will be disassembled at the end of its useful life in around 60–80 years.
One of the major oil producers in the OPEC cartel is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a conglomeration of seven emirates that includes the capital Abu Dhabi, and the commercial center Dubai.
The nation was primarily built on oil, but billions of dollars are being invested to develop enough renewable energy to meet half of its demands by 2050.
During a UN climate conference last year, the COP28 produced an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels.
A lot of the country’s electricity needs come from gas-powered stations, while there exist the world’s biggest solar facilities outside of Abu Dhabi.