Barakah nuclear plant successfully connects to UAE's power grid

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has marked another milestone with Unit 1 producing the first megawatt of clean electricity.

That's according to the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), which said Unit 1 has successfully connected to the country's national electricity transmission grid.

Commenting on the announcement, Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said, "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.

"We are confident in our people and our technology to continue to progress to reach commercial operations, and the completion of the remaining three units, with the goal to power up to 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs for at least the next 60 years."

In a statement, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) said: "The milestone follows extensive oversight, including regular inspection, to ensure the safety and security of the nuclear power plant.

It added that the "phase is another historic milestone for the UAE Nuclear Energy Programme, which will lead to the full commercial operation of Unit 1 planned later this year".

The announcement comes just weeks after the successful start-up of Unit 1 at Abu Dhabi's Barakah plant by Nawah Energy Company.

With the integration and connection complete, Unit 1's nuclear operators will begin the process of gradually raising the power levels towards full electricity production.

This testing will be conducted under the continued oversight of FANR, which has now conducted more than 280 inspections since the start of Barakah’s development. 

This is in addition to over 40 missions and assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency and World Association of Nuclear Operators.

This project, in addition to the UAE’s efforts made in implementing other forms of clean power generation, delivers one of the most ambitious clean electricity transformations in the region and the world, setting the nation on a new track of sustainable development and electrification.