United Arab Emirates

As of 31 December 2022

The United Arab Emirates has three operable nuclear power reactors at its Barakah nuclear power plant, located 230 km west of Abu Dhabi. It is the first nuclear power plant in the Middle East.

Barakah 1 produced first power in August 2020, followed by unit 2 in September 2021 and unit 3 in October 2022.

Construction of the fourth unit at the site began in September 2015. In June 2023 Barakah 4 initiated the final operational readiness testing and is expected to start operation later in 2023. Once all four units are operational, the plant will supply 25% of the UAE’s electricity.

Figure UA1. Annual electricity output (TWh) and age of reactors (years) at time of generation

Figure UA2. Average capacity factor of reactors in United Arab Emirates

Figure UA3. Emissions avoidance through use of nuclear generation in United Arab Emirates

WNN Links

Barakah 4 in final operational readiness tests : World Nuclear News - 8 June 2023

Third Barakah unit begins commercial operation : World Nuclear News - 24 February 2023