The UAE has granted an operating licence for the fourth and final unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, marking a historic moment for the country’s nuclear energy program. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) announced that the operating licence for Unit 4 had been issued to Nawah Energy Company, the subsidiary responsible for running the nuclear power plant.
Nawah is licensed to operate Unit 4 for 60 years, following a rigorous assessment process involving more than 170 inspections of the area. The application for operating Units 3 and 4 was initially submitted in 2017, and the licence for Unit 4 was approved after the successful issuance of the operating licence for Unit 3 in the previous year.
Once fully operational, the Barakah plant is expected to produce enough electricity to cover 25 percent of the UAE’s energy needs. According to Hamad Al Kaabi, UAE’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the country has successfully delivered its nuclear energy program within a record span of time while adhering to international safety and security standards.
Christer Viktorsson, the director general of FANR, highlighted the success in building the capability and skills of Emiratis to regulate the nuclear sector and ensure its sustainability, with 78 Emiratis among the 215 certified reactor operators.
Nawah will now conduct a commissioning period to prepare Unit 4 for commercial operation, following the issuance of operating licences for Units 1 and 2. Unit 1, which commenced commercial operations in April 2021, has already prevented the release of over five million tonnes of carbon emissions in its first year.
The Barakah plant is projected to contribute 85 percent of Abu Dhabi’s clean electricity by 2025, making it the largest contributor to reducing the national power sector’s carbon emissions. This significant development underscores the UAE’s vision and commitment to developing a sustainable and robust nuclear energy program.
Final Unit Licence Issued for UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Plant, Moving Closer to Full Operation
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