Dubai – The United Arab Emirates has announced the completion of the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world, marking a significant milestone in the region’s energy industry. The Abu Dhabi-based Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, starting with the commercial operation of its fourth and final reactor, will produce 40 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, according to Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.
Major Energy Contributor
The Barakah plant will cover 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity needs-a huge proportion considering air-conditioning use has been skyrocketing in the extremely hot desert country. In a year, this output is equivalent to New Zealand’s annual electricity consumption. Major industries to be supported will include Abu Dhabi National Oil Company-ADNOC, Emirates Steel, and Emirates Global Aluminium.
Completion of the plant was hailed by Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as a milestone on the road to net zero. “We will continue to focus on energy security and sustainability for a better tomorrow for our nation and people,” he said via social media platform X.
Nuclear Energy and Future Prospects
Working with the start of its first reactor in 2020, the Barakah plant is one huge shift in the UAE energy landscape. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, a nuclear power plant will operate some 60-80 years before decommissioning.
The UAE consists of seven emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Conventionally, the country has derived much of its oil income but invests steadily in renewable sources of energy. It aims to have half of its energy needs covered by renewables by 2050. Last year, it hosted COP28, during which much of the discussion was about transitioning from fossil fuels.
Regional Context
In the framework of regional energetical developments, Saudi Arabia also declared its intention to build nuclear reactors. On its part, UAE’s nuclear development is described as solely peaceful and would never include either uranium enrichment or technologies related to nuclear reprocessing. That contrasts with Iran’s nuclear programme, which includes a Russian-built reactor and a highly controversial uranium enrichment scheme.
Besides nuclear energy, the UAE is home to one of the world’s largest solar panel farms, which is located close to Abu Dhabi, another example of how it is trying to all round its portfolio of energy sources.