Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has announced that its operating and maintenance subsidiary Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), has commenced commercial operations of Unit 3 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi.
On the key milestone, Nawah said Unit 3 of the Barakah Plant has completed the process from Fuel Load to Commercial Operations more than four months faster than Unit 2 and more than five months faster than Unit 1.
This demonstrates how the operations teams utilised and implemented the experience gained from the previous two units, while adhering to all national regulations and international standards, as confirmed by assessments of the UAE regulator FANR and the World Association of Nuclear Operators.
According to Enec, the third unit has been delivered efficiently and in one of the shortest time-frames compared to other third-generation reactors built worldwide, demonstrating a new era for nuclear new-build.
As the third unit to be delivered in three consecutive years, this major accomplishment adds a further 1,400 MW of zero-carbon emission electricity capacity, boosting total production from Units 1, 2 and 3 of Barakah to 4,200MW of baseload, reliable, clean electricity for the UAE national grid.
The first multi-unit operating plant in the Arab World, Barakah, has already powered more than 80 percent of Abu Dhabi emirate's clean electricity consumption in December 2022, it stated.
Playing a significant role in the UAE's clean energy transition, ENEC and its subsidiaries are now one unit away from completing the four-unit Barakah plant and realising its commitment to deliver up to 25 percent of the UAE's electricity demands, said its top official.
Enec Managing Director and CEO Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi said: "In the Year of Sustainability for the UAE, we are proud to take the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme another step forward with Unit 3 beginning commercial operations."
"This has been achieved less than a year after successfully starting commercial operations for Unit 2. Barakah is a successful global benchmark for other nations looking to diversify their energy portfolio during a time of international energy crises," he stated.
"With three units now operating commercially, we are delivering energy security, powering sustainable economic growth, driving innovation, and contributing to achieving our Net Zero strategy by 2050. We look forward to showcasing just how critical nuclear is in tackling climate change, using proven solutions available today, at COP28 in the UAE in November,"
he added.
The commercial operations of Unit 3 have begun with the continuous support of Ewec and Abu Dhabi Transmission and Dispatch Company (Transco), which ensure that the clean electricity generated at Barakah is delivered to consumers across the UAE safely and sustainably.
Barakah One Company CEO Nasser Al Nasseri: "Today, we reaffirm our commitment to clean electricity generation for Ewec as per the Power Purchase Agreement signed in 2016. The sale of clean electricity further supports Abu Dhabi's Clean Energy Certification programme, allowing more businesses to demonstrate their sustainability credentials, creating unique competitive advantage, and stimulating the growth of our Net Zero economy."
Nawah CEO Ali Al Hammadi said: "This is a key achievement for Nawah, as we safely and efficiently begin commercial operations for Unit 3, following national regulations and international standards."
"Today, Barakah represents just 20% of the wider UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme, with Enec investing in research and development, and innovation to further accelerate the opportunities within the UAE's clean energy transition," he noted.
"This includes major opportunities in clean electricity exports, development of Net Zero molecules, including clean hydrogen and ammonia, and steam, in addition to overseas investments and financing of new clean energy projects," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
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