UAE completes first of four nuclear plants

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates, with help from South Korea, finally completed the Arab world’s first commercial nuclear reactor, a milestone in the UAE’s effort to curb its reliance on fossil fuels and develop cleaner sources of energy.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President South Korea Moon Jae-in visited the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Al Dhafra Region to celebrate the successful completion of Unit-1 construction, the UAE official news agency WAM reported.

The construction of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant began in 2012 and has progressed steadily ever since. Construction of Units 2, 3 and 4 are 92 percent, 81 percent, and 66 percent complete respectively.

The construction of the Barakah plant as a whole is now 86 percent complete. The UAE expects the four Barakah plants to contribute almost 25 percent of the nation’s electricity after the completion. It will be saving up to 21 million ton of carbon emissions annually. Currently, the UAE depends on imported natural gas to generate much of its electricity.

Commenting on this latest milestone, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said, "The UAE peaceful nuclear energy programme will play a strategic role in the growth of our nation by enhancing our energy security, diversifying our economy, and creating employment opportunities for our people, thereby helping secure the future of generations to come."