'Export No.1' UAE Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Begins Commercial Operation

First Overseas Nuclear Power Project Building Korea's Export-Type Nuclear Reactor 'APR1400'
KEPCO "Proving Our Nuclear Technology Worldwide... A Clean Energy Source Covering 25% of UAE's Power Demand"

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), exported by Korea for the first time in history, has commenced commercial operation.

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced on the 6th that the UAE Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 successfully completed fuel loading in March last year, reached initial criticality in July, and after successfully finishing power ascension tests and performance guarantee tests, has started commercial operation.

This project is the first overseas nuclear power plant project constructing four units (5,600 megawatts) of the export-type nuclear power plant 'APR1400' developed independently by Korea. KEPCO is the main contractor overseeing the entire project and is participating as a joint venture partner with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) as a long-term operational partner. Domestic companies are also involved throughout the project, including design (Korea Electric Power Technology), manufacturing (Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction), construction (Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Samsung C&T), commissioning, and operational support (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power).

The UAE nuclear power plant is a project promoted by ENEC as part of the UAE's peaceful nuclear energy program. Unit 1, the first commercial nuclear power plant in the Arab region, is based on Korea's APR1400 model and has been reinforced to reflect the environmental characteristics of the UAE climate. KEPCO began full-scale construction starting with obtaining construction permits for Units 1 and 2 in July 2012.

A KEPCO official stated, "With the commencement of commercial operation of Unit 1, Korea's nuclear technology and construction management capabilities in overseas nuclear power projects have been proven worldwide," adding, "This is expected to become a second foothold for overseas nuclear power exports in emerging nuclear markets."

Currently, Korea-UAE nuclear cooperation spans the entire nuclear power cycle, including design, construction, operation, nuclear fuel, and maintenance. Starting with the commercial operation of Unit 1, it is expected to contribute to expanding exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

The UAE nuclear power plant is expected to serve as a stable baseload power source domestically. Starting with Unit 1, when all four units enter commercial operation, they are expected to supply 25% of the UAE's electricity demand. Additionally, it is anticipated to reduce carbon emissions by 21 million tons annually (equivalent to reducing exhaust from 3.2 million vehicles), making it a clean energy source within the UAE.

KEPCO emphasized, "Team Korea, led by KEPCO and promoting this project, plans to successfully complete the remaining construction of Units 2 to 4, commissioning, and operation with all its capabilities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.