Oil-rich UAE finishes Arab world’s first nuclear power plant
Barakah Nuclear Power Plant to supply 25% of UAE's electricity, aiding in energy diversification and net zero goals
UAE Completes Arab World’s First Nuclear Power Plant
The UAE has successfully completed the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant, the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the state-owned Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) said in a statement.
According to ENEC, the four-reactor plant would provide 25 percent of the electricity needed for the hot, desert Gulf state, where air conditioning is widespread — equivalent to New Zealand’s annual electricity consumption.It will power major industries like oil production, steel production and aluminum production.
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is located in Al Dhafra, about 53 km west-southwest of Ruwais city, on the Arabian Gulf in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, praised the completion as a critical step toward reaching net zero emissions.
In a post on the social networking site X, he said, “We will continue to prioritize energy security and sustainability today and tomorrow for the benefit of our nation and our people.”
The UAE is working to secure energy security and diversify its energy sources, and one aspect of that work is the Baraka facility. According to ENEC, it represents a significant step toward the nation’s objective of using renewable energy sources to supply 50% of its electrical demands by 2050.
