ENEC highlighed Barakah’s significant contribution towards Net Zero by 2050 and efforts to tackle climate change
– The Barakah Plant is delivering energy security and powering sustainable economic growth with zero-emission baseload electricity
The Emirates Nuclear Corporation (ENEC) has showcased the critical role of nuclear energy as a global climate change solution at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), held in Abu Dhabi from 16 to 18 January 2023.
WFES is a key element of the 15th edition of the annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the leading business event for energy and sustainability that brings together local and global leadership, industry experts and policy makers for inclusive action.
During WFES, ENEC has showcased the continued progress of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, a nation-defining strategic energy infrastructure project, which is spearheading efforts towards achieving UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 target by preventing millions of tons of carbon emissions annually. Today the Barakah Plant is the largest source of clean electricity in the region.
ENEC’s commitment to international collaboration was further strengthened following the signing of a new MoU during the visit of South Korea’s President His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol to the UAE. In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and the South Korea President, H.E. Mohamed Al Hammadi signed a new agreement to establish strategic working groups for a Net Zero Acceleration Program. The agreement was signed with President of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Cheong Seung-il, and Ju-Ho Hwang, President of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, to pave the way for a new era in nuclear energy and clean molecule technologies.
In a wider bi-later agreement, the UAE announced plans to invest $30 billion in South Korea’s industries as the two countries seek to expand economic cooperation.
The UAE is driving sustainable economic development across a range of sector and is hosting COP28 this November in Dubai to accelerate climate progress. As COP28 approaches, there is an increased momentum towards investments in nuclear energy as part of international cooperation agreements. Recently, the UK said it expects to reach the inbound investment amount of £10 billion from the UAE in various sectors including nuclear energy, while late last year, the UAE and United States agreed to spend $100 billion on clean energy projects with a goal of adding 100 gigawatts globally by 2035.
The UAE is recognized as a global nuclear energy success story and an international benchmark in terms of project management and cost effectiveness. Most recently, ENEC marked grid connection of Unit 3, which achieved start-up last year, just one year after the start-up of Unit 2, showing the significant progress being made at the Plant – the first multi-unit operational nuclear plant in the Arab World. Unit 3 will start commercial operations in the coming months, whilst Unit 4 is in the final stages of commissioning.
The Plant is generating thousands of high-value jobs and stimulating the growth of local industries in addition to the significant environmental benefits for the nation over the next 60 years and beyond. The Barakah Plant is just the beginning, comprising only 20% of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program. The Plant is a catalyst for innovation in the clean energy transition, including SMR development and next generation reactors, and a bridge to other clean fuels.
With abundant clean electricity flowing 24/7, ENEC is now focused on exploring and incubating strategic investments in nuclear energy locally and internationally that support the growth and development goals of the UAE. The Barakah Plant is one of the largest nuclear energy plants in the world, with four APR-1400 units, and once fully operational will power up to 570,000 homes as well as support the UAE’s strategy for becoming a net-exporter of LNG by 2030 by replacing local gas consumption.
Source: ENEC
