UAE's Unit 2 of the nuclear plant begins operation

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has started Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, located in the Al Dhafra region of the capital, Abu Dhabi.

Barakah Plant is the region’s first multi-unit operating plant, with the aim of drifting from carbon emissions while providing “abundant” electricity.

“With the start-up of Unit 2, we are now almost halfway to achieving our goal of supplying up to a quarter of our Nation’s electricity needs and enabling sustainable growth and in parallel, achieving UAE climate change targets,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC in a statement.

ENEC said that they have undertaken tests with the continued oversight of the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), and follows the World Association of Nuclear Operator’s (WANO) completion of a Pre Start-up Review (PSUR), prior to receipt of the Operating License, to ensure that Unit 2 is aligned with international best practice in the nuclear energy industry.