UAE nuclear plant completes Unit 3 start-up

The UAE's Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has successfully started up its Unit 3.

The achievement comes one year after the start-up of Unit 2.

It shows the significant progress being made in bringing all four units of the Barakah Plant online and accelerating the decarbonisation of the UAE’s power sector on the way to Net Zero by 2050.

The next key milestone would be the connection of Unit 3 to the national electricity grid in the coming weeks.

Once commercially operational, Unit 3 will add another 1,400 megawatts of zero-carbon emission electricity capacity to the national grid.

Greater energy security, greater sustainability, more clean electricity. Unit 3 start-up has been completed. We applaud our team on this proud achievement as we deliver yet another Unit to power the Net Zero economy. #BarakahForTheNation
#براكة_للوطن pic.twitter.com/CN6AKAmwQ9

— Emirates Nuclear (@ENEC_UAE) September 22, 2022

"The UAE has developed a world-class nuclear program that builds on experience and continuously shares its lessons with global industry peers, making the Barakah plant a case study for the world on a new nuclear project delivery," said Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

Nawah Energy, the Joint Venture nuclear operations and maintenance subsidiary of ENEC and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), have been safely progressing through a comprehensive testing programme, prior to successfully completing the start-up of the third nuclear energy reactor of the Barakah Plant.

Testing has been undertaken under the continued oversight of the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), and follows the World Association of Nuclear Operators’ (WANO) completion of a Pre-Start-Up Review (PSUR), prior to receipt of the Operating Licence, which ensures Unit 3 is aligned with international best practice in the nuclear energy industry."The start-up of Unit 3 is a clear demonstration that our Emirati talents, working closely with international experts and organizations, have developed the know-how and capability to safely and reliably operate three nuclear Units simultaneously. We look forward to the upcoming connection of Unit 3 to the national electricity grid as we work to deliver up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity demand," said Eng. Ali Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Nawah.

In the coming weeks, Unit 3 will be connected to the national electricity grid and the operations team will continue with the process of gradually raising power levels, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT).

The process will be continuously monitored and tested until maximum electricity production is reached, while adhering to all regulatory requirements and the highest international standards of safety, quality and security.

Both Units 1 and 2 of the Barakah Plant are operating commercially, providing an abundant source of clean and reliable electricity 24/7, while Unit 4 is in the final stages of commissioning prior to completion of construction.