Die erfolgreiche Inbetriebnahme, Erprobung und der Betrieb des ersten Reaktors der Barakah-Anlage läuten eine neue Ära für Abu Dhabi ein, welches das Projekt als Teil seiner kohlenstoffarmen Zukunft konzipiert hat.

(WK-intern) – Barakah ushers new era for Abu Dhabi, says MEED, part of GlobalData

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will become the first Arab country to produce nuclear energy when commercial operations commence at the $24.4bn Barakah nuclear power plant in 2020.

It is a landmark project for the region and a triumph for the country, says MEED, part of GlobalData.

Until 2006, the six oil-producing states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) had been vocally opposed to nuclear power in the Gulf, however, as Iran’s nuclear ambitions advanced, the position changed.

Jennifer Aguinaldo, Energy & Technology Editor at MEED, part of GlobalData, comments: “In November 2006, MEED reported the news that six Arab states including Saudi Arabia and the UAE were considering developing nuclear program. MEED’s report was confirmed one month later when the GCC issued a formal statement of its right to pursue nuclear power, but even then, the UAE was not considered a serious player.

“Fourteen years on, the UAE has succeeded in overcoming the many technical, financial, regulatory and security obstacles that line the path to nuclear power. Coming just two weeks after the country launched its historic first mission to Mars, it is a reminder of how ambitious the UAE is, and how quickly it can move.”

Once all four of Barakah’s reactors are operational in 2025, the plant will provide the UAE with 5.6GW of power generation capacity – about one quarter of the country’s anticipated energy requirements.

Aguinaldo continues: “The successful commissioning, testing and operation of the Barakah plant’s first reactor ushers a new era for Abu Dhabi, which conceived the project as part of its low-carbon future.”

In addition to low-to-zero carbon emission, the nuclear plant is envisaged to support a growing volume of intermittent renewable energy capacity, which is part of the overall plan to have clean energy account for half of the country’s overall installed generation capacity by 2050.”

Aguinaldo adds: “The remaining red flag, particularly to parties that do not support nuclear energy, is a lack of clarity in terms of the storage and disposal of spent fuel or solid radioactive waste arising from the plant.

“It is another obstacle that the UAE is prepared for, and Abu Dhabi is developing a long-term storage policy to ensure that it is ready to process Barakah’s first batch of spent fuel in 20 years’ time.”

About MEED

Launched in 1957, MEED is the world’s leading source of exclusive Middle East business intelligence.

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4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.

PR: GlobalData