Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has announced that following the start-up of Unit 3 of the Barakah nuclear plant, its operations and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), has now safely and successfully connected the unit to the UAE’s transmission grid, delivering the first megawatts of carbon-free electricity from the third of the four units at the Barakah Plant.

 

Unit 3 will add another 1,400 megawatts of zero-carbon emission electricity capacity to the national grid, a major step forward in guaranteeing UAE energy security and energy sustainability to tackle climate change – two of the biggest challenges facing the world today.

 

With both Units 1 and 2 already in commercial operation, generating clean electricity every minute of the day and with Unit 3 close to commercial operations in the coming months – Barakah is accelerating the decarbonisation of the power sector and forms an essential component of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy. 

 

The nuclear sector as whole is a vital part of the UAE’s clean energy system of multiple low-carbon technologies, ensuring the reliability, efficiency and resilience of the UAE grid for at least the next 60 years.

 

Lauding the milestone, Enec Managing Director and CEO Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi said: "Our leadership’s long-term vision and decisions more than 13 years ago are paying dividends today as we celebrate another proud moment for the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program."

 

"Connecting Unit 3 to the UAE transmission grid adds thousands more megawatts of clean electricity to power all aspects of society, replaces the need to burn $4 billion worth of gas which can be diverted for export, and through Clean Energy Certification, gives many companies in the UAE a unique competitive advantage," stated Al Hammadi. 

 

According to Enec, following grid connection, Unit 3 will undergo 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 local regulatory requirements and the highest international standards of safety, quality and security.