The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has announced that its operations and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company, has safely and successfully connected Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to the UAE’s transmission grid.
The grid connection signifies the delivery of the first megawatts of carbon-free electricity from the fourth reactor of the nuclear energy plant, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s clean energy transition and journey towards Net Zero by 2050.
Unit 4 will add another 1,400 megawatts of clean electricity capacity to power the national grid, representing another significant step forward towards full-fleet operations, further supporting the UAE’s efforts in enhancing grid stability and energy security through abundant around-the-clock zero-emissions electricity.
Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi CEO – ENEC
“We are proud to have achieved another critical milestone for the Barakah Plant, which stands as a testament to the UAE’s leadership in the development of large-scale multi-unit nuclear fleets. Grid connection of Unit 4 puts us well on the path to full-fleet commercial operations, and with that, the ability to generate 40TWh of clean, baseload electricity annually to drive our Net Zero economy, offering a competitive edge to many businesses, decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries, while presenting a global benchmark for the entire nuclear energy industry.”
The fourth unit is nearing the start of commercial operations. Following the grid connection, Unit 4 will undergo the process of gradually raising power levels, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT).
The process will be continuously monitored and tested until maximum electricity production is reached while adhering to all local regulatory requirements and the highest international standards of safety, quality, and security.
Each Unit has been connected to the grid more efficiently than the previous unit, as institutional knowledge and experience are applied to each subsequent unit. Unit 3 was delivered four months faster than the Unit 2 schedule, and five months faster than the Unit 1 schedule, demonstrating the significant benefit of building multiple units within a phased timeline.
According to the statement, “The Nawah teams at Barakah have worked closely with the Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PSJC (TAQA), who constructed the overhead lines to connect the Barakah Plant to the Abu Dhabi grid – ensuring the power generated at Barakah is safely, securely and reliably delivered to consumers across the country.”
