Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant begins clean energy production

Abu Dhabi’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Al Dhafrah Region has successfully connected to UAE’s national electricity transmission grid.

This marks the first time clean electricity produced at the plant is delivered to the nation.

The move was announced today by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) stating that its operations and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company, has connected Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to the UAE grid.

The feat was achieved in partnership with Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company, TRANSCO which is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company.

This follows the safe and successful startup of Unit 1 connection at the end of July 2020 by Nawah, which was synchronized with the requirements of the UAE’s national grid for electricity transmission.

“The safe and successful connection of Unit 1 to the UAE grid marks the key moment when we begin to deliver on our mission to power the growth of the nation by supplying clean electricity, around the clock. Grid connection of Unit 1 really is the beginning of a new era in our project, which is built upon years of preparation and adherence to the highest international safety and quality standards,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC.

TRANSCO has built 952 kilometres of 400 kV overhead lines to connect the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant Unit 1 to the Abu Dhabi power grid to ensure that the electricity generated at Barakah is delivered to consumers across the UAE in a safe, secure and reliable manner.

Nuclear operators of Unit 1 will begin the process of slowly increasing power levels, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT) and after completion of the process, Unit 1 will deliver at full capacity.

ENEC recently announced the construction completion of Unit 2, with operational readiness plans now under way by Nawah. Further, the construction of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant Units 3 and 4 also is in its final stages.