ABU DHABI - The final unit of the Barakah nuclear power plant, constructed by South Korea in the United Arab Emirates, has been connected to the nation's power grid, marking a significant step in the Middle East's energy sector.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the state-run utility company of South Korea, Unit 4 of the Barakah plant began operations earlier this month and started delivering carbon-free electricity on Saturday. Following additional testing, the unit is slated for full commercial operation within the year, contributing an additional 1,400 megawatts of zero-carbon emission electricity to the UAE’s power supply.
This reactor is the last of four within the Barakah facility, located 270 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi, constructed under a $20 billion contract awarded in 2009 to a consortium led by KEPCO. This project signifies South Korea’s inaugural export of a domestically developed commercial nuclear power plant.
Upon reaching full commercial functionality, the Barakah nuclear facility is expected to supply up to 25% of the UAE's electricity requirements. This contribution is seen as a pivotal element in ensuring the UAE’s energy sustainability and advancing towards its net-zero carbon goals, as outlined by KEPCO.
KEPCO's chief, Kim Dong-cheol, emphasized the importance of this milestone towards the completion of the UAE reactor project and affirmed South Korea’s commitment to furthering energy cooperation with the UAE. He also indicated that South Korea aims to continue securing additional international contracts for nuclear power projects.