Nawah Energy, a joint venture between Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), announced that the Unit 4 reactor of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE successfully reached its first criticality on March 1.
Following the acquisition of the operating license for Unit 4 from the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) in November and the completion of fuel loading in December, the UAE’s nuclear power plant operator, with the support of Team Korea including KEPCO, has completed the preparations for power generation for Unit 4, thus entering the full-scale operational phase of the nuclear power plant, following Units 1 to 3.
With the achievement of first criticality for Unit 4, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the largest clean energy supplier in the UAE, has taken another step closer to full commercial operation for all units, totaling 5,600 MW from the four units. Moving forward, the plant will gradually increase reactor output and conduct performance tests, with plans to commence commercial operation later this year.
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, featuring the 1,400 MW APR1400 reactor exported by KEPCO for the first time in South Korea, has established itself as the first commercial nuclear power plant in the Arab region and the largest clean energy source, strengthening the energy security of the UAE and serving as a driving force for sustainable economic growth even amid global energy crises.
Kim Dong-cheol, the president of KEPCO, stated, “In the global energy industry where the importance of nuclear power for achieving carbon neutrality is being emphasized, the Barakah nuclear power project will stand as a prime example. We will spare no effort to successfully complete the remaining test driving process for Unit 4 and proceed with commercial operation.”