Barakah-4 begins operational readiness testing

June 9, 2023, 12:00PMNuclear News
Barakah-4 (Photo: ENEC)

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) announced on June 8 that Barakah-4, the fourth and final Korean-designed APR-1400 reactor to be built at the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah nuclear power plant, has commenced the testing necessary to demonstrate its readiness for an operating license from the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.

Barakah’s three commercially operating units, delivered into service in three consecutive years, are generating more than 30 terawatt-hours of zero-emission electricity year-round, according to ENEC’s announcement. Over the winter, the plant met up to 48 percent of Abu Dhabi’s electricity requirements, the company added.

Once operational, Unit 4 is expected to raise the facility’s total clean electricity generation capacity to 5.6 GW.

Official words: “In the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability,’ we are demonstrating how nuclear energy can have a real, rapid, and transformative impact on decarbonizing the power sector,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, ENEC’s managing director and chief executive officer. “With Unit 4 now moving toward becoming operational, we will soon meet our mission to generate 25 percent of the nation’s electricity. Barakah offers a clear success story as we head toward COP28 in Dubai, where attendees will be looking for solutions to the climate crisis and are increasingly recognizing the critical role proven nuclear energy technology will play. The success of the three commercially operational reactors reflects the dedication and skill of all our teams involved in the program. As we embark on the last leg of this first phase of our program to deliver the last of our four commercially operational nuclear reactors, we continue to inspire a new generation of climate change champions, while accelerating the UAE’s decarbonization towards the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”

In case you missed it: Barakah-3 began commercial operation this past February, joining Units 1 and 2, which started their operational lives in April 2021 and March 2022, respectively. The projected commercial start for Unit 4 is 2024.

Background: The UAE began a nuclear partnership with South Korea in 2009 when Kepco was awarded the prime contract to design, build, and help operate four pressurized water reactors at Barakah, located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi. In 2016, ENEC and Kepco signed a joint venture agreement for a long-term partnership to become joint owners of Nawah Energy Company and Barakah One Company, with ENEC owning 82 percent of the two firms and Kepco holding an 18 percent ownership stake. Nawah was formed to operate and maintain the plant, while Barakah One was created to manage the commercial interests of the project, secure project finance from institutional and commercial lenders, and receive funds for the electricity generated from Units 1–4.


Related Articles

Barakah-4 is connected to the UAE grid

March 26, 2024, 12:00PMNuclear News

The fourth nuclear unit at Barakah power plant in the United Arab Emirates has been “safely and successfully” connected to the nation’s grid, according to an announcement by the Emirates...

UAE’s Barakah-4 unit reaches start-up

March 6, 2024, 9:30AMNuclear News

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation announced last week start-up at its fourth nuclear unit at the Barakah plant in the UAE.The plant is run by ENEC’s operating and maintenance...

Reflections from COP28

January 31, 2024, 7:00AMANS News

The American Nuclear Society is hosting "Reflections from COP28," an online panel discussion this Friday, February 2, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. (ET). The talk will look back at the event...

Turning the tide

January 26, 2024, 9:31AMNuclear NewsPatrick O’Brien

The adage “a rising tide raises all boats” keeps coming to my mind whenever I think about the work ahead for small modular reactor and advanced reactor development companies. The...

2023 in Review: October–December

January 16, 2024, 3:01PMNuclear News

Another calendar year has passed. Before heading too far into 2024, let’s look back at what happened in 2023 in the nuclear community. In today's post, compiled from Nuclear News and Nuclear...

Notes from COP28

January 2, 2024, 9:30AMNuclear News

Dubai, UAE—If you have followed the coverage of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, commonly known as COP28, you probably have figured out that it’s a bit of...